It seems that you'll eventually be watched wherever you go in Europe -- but don't expect the data captured to be kept securely and safely. This scenario has just moved one step closer.
According to The Register (link below), a database of vehicle documentation that gives the police access to driver and vehicle data from multiple European countries goes live today. The UK, Belgium, France, Germany and the Netherlands subscribe to the Traffic Documentation System, which has been developed with EU funding by the Dutch traffic police. Five other countries will join the scheme soon.
The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) welcomed it as a valuable tool to counter terrorism, smuggling and forgery. Considering the system was set up to counter traffic violations, this demonstrates how systems ostensibly set up for one purpose can be, and so often are, used for another, far more wide-ranging purpose.
However, it would appear that the UK in particular isn't very good at using such systems, and much of the available data isn't in the system yet. Even basic Internet access to the system would appear to be a sticking point for the UK's trafpol, in which case the alternative -- posting CDs full of highly sensitive personal data out to mobile units -- is likely to lead to breaches of confidentiality on a massive scale.
Being under permanent surveillance is bad enough, but incompetent surveillance?
There's more on this story and earlier stories below.
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