IP: UK Big Brother Blair plans 'snooper computer'

[Dave Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>]

> From: "the terminal of Geoff Goodfellow" <geoff () iconia com>
> To: "Dave e-mail pamphleteer Farber" <farber () cis upenn edu>
>
> http://www.independent.co.uk/sindy/stories/A0108901.html
>
> Big Brother Blair plans 'snooper computer'
> By Rachel Sylvester
>
> PERSONAL bank accounts, confidential medical records and individual tax files
> are set to be accessed by the Government as part of a far-reaching clamp down
> on fraud being actively considered by Downing Street. The proposal was
> immediately condemned by civil libertarians last night as a further step
> towards "big brother Britain."
>
> A report sent to Tony Blair by the inter-departmental ministerial group on
> fraud, recommends drastic changes to the law to give Whitehall departments
> sweeping new powers to compare files and obtain private information.
>
> Ministers want Government officials to be able to cross check data given to
> different departments and local authorities so they can identify fraudulent
> benefits claims and tax returns. They are also discussing giving inspectors
> access to individuals' bank and building society accounts so they can catch
> people who lie about how much money they have.
>
> <snip>
>
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