'Today' considers data retention and IMP

[Pete Mitchell]

Richard Clayton wrote  on 11-01-09 22:33:
> 
> As I understand it, a great many crimes are planned in pubs. We should
> therefore have a law that whenever you place an order at the bar, your
> name should be entered into a computerised log by the bartender -- along
> with the names of all the people you're buying a round for. This will
> give the police important information about the conspiracies behind many
> crimes, often violent crimes. 


A closer analogy is a society where you have to report every 
conversation you ever have to the police, including the other person's 
name, and the date, time and place, perhaps with a brief summary of the 
topic discussed.

Ten years ago, anyone who suggested the government would soon be doing 
this kind of stuff would be called a "conspiracy theorist". It is very 
frightening to see how quickly societies can change.

-- 
Pete Mitchell