We should all mind our own business

Perhaps good old-fashioned, face-to-face conversation will make a comeback, now the government is pressing ahead with its plan to oblige communications providers to retain details of all our electronic interactions.

While most people can understand the argument that mining such data helps law enforcement and security services, it is nonetheless a proposal that sticks in the throat for many.

During Labour’s tenure, the concept of the surveillance state has been introduced with almost as much stealth as the snooping itself. The Tories, recognising public unease, promise to “roll back the surveillance state” and stop the trend for big government databases. If they win power, it will be interesting to see whether or not such intentions are watered down in the harsh reality of tackling the UK’s national security challenges.

The privacy of our electronic footprints should be a defining political issue of the internet age.

But unlike the free, open and collaborative nature of the internet that has contributed to this problem in the first place, it is a challenge that is being addressed in a closed and authoritarian manner. As such, it becomes an easy brick to hurl at an unpopular government, when it could and should be an opportunity to demonstrate an understanding of the way the relationship between state and web-enabled citizen is changing.

If the government is to open up its data, it seems beyond churlish to want to obtain and exploit so much of our own.

Personal information –­ including personal communications –­ is just that: personal. And
technology is emerging that will allow us to securely manage our personal electronic footprint. It is not beyond the realm of innovation for this to be done in a way that allows the authorities to obtain our approval for access as and when required under suitable conditions –­ rather than the blunt instrument of total centrally directed retention.

The government should explore and invest in such technologies, for its good as much as our own.