This is deeply worrying

by limbic on September 2, 2004

From the BBC

Satellite tracking for criminals

Prolific offenders and paedophiles are to be monitored by new satellite technology under three pilot schemes beginning on Thursday.

It is the first time a European country has used satellites to monitor the movements of offenders.

Convicted burglars, robbers and car thieves will be fitted with an electronic device that can be tracked by satellite 24 hours a day.

The trials are in Greater Manchester, West Midlands and Hampshire.

This is a terrifying development. All oppressive laws start out as popular responses to public devils (like Football hooligans, racists or paedophiles) and end up being abused for political purposes.

Some examples are the Football Act of 200 being used to stop political protesters traveling to Genoa to protest at the IMF and the terrorism act used to stop demonstrators at an East London arms fair.

How long before these tracking tags are used on dissidents or “risky individuals” or…you?

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