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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