A call for legislation on data protection and privacy in light of claims that the British government is moving towards a Big Brother scenario.
By the late 1990s, government computer data banks, bringing together all kinds of personal data will exist in all but name.
This is the prediction for Britain made in a book by investigative journalist Duncan Campbell and Steve Connor which has just been published. 'On the Record: Surveillance, Computers and Privacy' examines the threats posed to personal privacy by the data banks which hold personal information on a large portion of the British population. The planned introduction of machine-readable technology in many aspects of British life will give the government a
Frightening capacity to store information on people
Cathal MacCoille speaks to author Duncan Campbell about the drift towards "Big Brother Files". Campbell points to the Departments of Health and Social Security as the most active agencies involved in the collection of this data. However, the question as to how this data will be used is the real worry. Campbell says the real danger is that the individual will have no rights over this information and is calling for regulation in data protection to be introduced.
Computers are somehow representative of dark forces
Campbell also comments on the collection of data on the population in Northern Ireland and 'Operation Vengeful'.
A 'Morning Ireland' report broadcast on 20 May 1986. The reporter is Cathal MacCoille.
