UK in danger of becoming a nanny state, says surveillance commissioner
The Home Office’s surveillance regulator has raised fears that the UK could become a “Big Brother” state unless effective regulations are put into place.
Andrew Rennison, the UK’s surveillance camera commissioner, has said that new advances in technology could lead to a breach of human rights.
He cautioned over the new high definition cameras that are being installed without first gauging public opinion.
Speaking to the Independent, he said, “It is the Big Brother scenario playing out large. It's the ability to pick out your face in a crowd from a camera which is probably half a mile away.”
He went on to say that the regulations are not keeping up with the technology, and warned that the government could be facing a “huge public backlash” over the issue.
The commissioner asked that lawyers help the government to keep a rein on CCTV technology, so that there are no breaches of the Human Rights Act.
He went as far as to recommend a public consultation on the issue.
He said, “I don't want the state to carry on and start pushing the boundaries. Let's have a debate - if the public support it, then fine. If the public don't support it, and we need to increase the regulation, then that's what we need to do.”
Mr Rennison was appointed by the Home Office to keep and eye on the development and installation of CCTV in the UK.
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