NationStates Jolt Archive

ANTI-BIG BROTHER ACT I
A resolution restricting the powers of "Big Brother", or those behind unlawfully hidden cameras, RFID chips, thumb scans, and retina scans.

Category: The Furtherment of Democracy
Strength: Strong
Proposed By: Central East America

ACKNOWLEDGING
-that citizens across the globe should never worry about invasions of privacy.

RECOGNIZING
-the right to privacy.

RESTRICTING
-the invasion of privacy that thumb and retina scans, as well as RFID chips and hidden cameras cause.

Description: "Big Brother" is an international problem, and a tool for governments wishing to keep an eye on their citizens, both in public and in private. Time and time again, we see cameras and recorders planted unlawfully on public and private property, like public buildings, private land, homes, etc. They also intend on producing and pushing RFID chips upon citizens, as well as making thumb scanning and retina scanning mandatory for acquiring driver's licenses in some cities, states, and countries. We need to put out this small brush fire, which certain governments all over the world want to throw gasoline on.

As Big Brother grows, it will start doing the following things:

1) They will start invoking on citizens, both young and old, male and female, RFID chips. Some RFID chips are in cell phones, commercial products, automobiles, watches, necklaces, and backpacks. But they're now starting to put RFID chips into volunteers. RFID chips supposedly help fight terrorism when in fact it does more to take away our freedoms and privacy.

2) They will begin making thumb and retina scanning mandatory to get driver's licenses, ID cards, learner's permits, and other official documents. They also have plans to take it a step further, by making citizens give blood and urine samples. Citizens are treated innocent until proven guilty, not the other way around. They should not be allowed to treat all citizens like criminals.

3) They have already begun putting cameras on major highways, freeways, and on the main streets of towns all over the world. They are also making plans to put a small camera in your car to allow face scanning to "prevent car stealing", when in fact, it makes it possible for you to be arrested if you're slightly tired or arguing with somebody in the car.

4) Despite all of these cameras they put up, they fail to add ANY of this security onto national borders. It seems they would much rather have higher security on real citizens instead of illegal aliens.

5) They are also planning to start putting RFID chips in licenses and ID cards, as well as making it so that you can't buy or sell without a National ID card. Even worse, there are talks of World ID cards.

Therefore, it is imperative that the UN ceases supporting Big Brother groups, as well as supporting invasions of privacy. How we can restrict this would be to restrict the production of RFID chips, make it clear the dangers that RFID chips carry with them, make it so thumb scans and retina scans are NOT mandatory in any condition, and make all groups who put in hidden cameras unlawfully must be charged a fine and/or arrested. Also, it is important that all cameras put in highways, freeways, and any other public road or building MUST have an indication that they are there. They cannot be hidden, camouflaged, or masked.

I'm sorry. Who's this Big Brother?
Is it the government (me IC), or is it the evile corporate greedheads (me OOC)?
You've lost me.

My bank puts a camera by its ATMs to keep robbers away, and it's an infringement on my rights?

As government, I replace the highway patrol with automated sensors and cameras and mail speeding tickets to violators, and I'm infringing on somebody's privacy?

I'd like to say I'll fight the RFID implant when it comes, but I have a poor track record on this one. I'm thumbprint scanned every time I log onto my computer at work. How does this infringe on my privacy?

ANTI-BIG BROTHER ACT I
A resolution restricting the powers of "Big Brother", or those behind unlawfully hidden cameras, RFID chips, thumb scans, and retina scans.

Category: The Furtherment of Democracy
Strength: Strong
Proposed By: Central East America

Boilerplate.



ACKNOWLEDGING
-that citizens across the globe should never worry about invasions of privacy.


Why not? It keeps several industries alive.



RECOGNIZING
-the right to privacy.

RESTRICTING
-the invasion of privacy that thumb and retina scans, as well as RFID chips and hidden cameras cause.

Hmmm.



Description: "Big Brother" is an international problem, and a tool for governments wishing to keep an eye on their citizens, both in public and in private. Time and time again, we see cameras and recorders planted unlawfully on public and private property, like public buildings, private land, homes, etc.

Our Sultan owns 50.1% of everything, so we see no "lawful" problem here. You are certainly free to plant anything you wish on your own property.



They also intend on producing and pushing RFID chips upon citizens, as well as making thumb scanning and retina scanning mandatory for acquiring driver's licenses in some cities, states, and countries. We need to put out this small brush fire, which certain governments all over the world want to throw gasoline on.

As Big Brother grows, it will start doing the following things:

1) They will start invoking on citizens, both young and old, male and female, RFID chips. Some RFID chips are in cell phones, commercial products, automobiles, watches, necklaces, and backpacks. But they're now starting to put RFID chips into volunteers. RFID chips supposedly help fight terrorism when in fact it does more to take away our freedoms and privacy.

2) They will begin making thumb and retina scanning mandatory to get driver's licenses, ID cards, learner's permits, and other official documents. They also have plans to take it a step further, by making citizens give blood and urine samples. Citizens are treated innocent until proven guilty, not the other way around. They should not be allowed to treat all citizens like criminals.

3) They have already begun putting cameras on major highways, freeways, and on the main streets of towns all over the world. They are also making plans to put a small camera in your car to allow face scanning to "prevent car stealing", when in fact, it makes it possible for you to be arrested if you're slightly tired or arguing with somebody in the car.

4) Despite all of these cameras they put up, they fail to add ANY of this security onto national borders. It seems they would much rather have higher security on real citizens instead of illegal aliens.

5) They are also planning to start putting RFID chips in licenses and ID cards, as well as making it so that you can't buy or sell without a National ID card. Even worse, there are talks of World ID cards.

Therefore, it is imperative that the UN ceases supporting Big Brother groups, as well as supporting invasions of privacy. How we can restrict this would be to restrict the production of RFID chips, make it clear the dangers that RFID chips carry with them, make it so thumb scans and retina scans are NOT mandatory in any condition, and make all groups who put in hidden cameras unlawfully must be charged a fine and/or arrested. Also, it is important that all cameras put in highways, freeways, and any other public road or building MUST have an indication that they are there. They cannot be hidden, camouflaged, or masked.

We think this is mostly scare tactics, or it needs to be cleared up as to what you are trying to do, as we most certainly could be misunderstanding your objective.

President Quinn would like to point out that normal hidden cameras, such as ones in stores and banks, are not effected by this act. Only cameras UNLAWFULLY PLACED should be taken out, and those who put them in fined and/or arrested.

Also, speed checks are not effect by this act. It merely serves to provide that national, state, and local government must indicate that there are cameras on those roads by means of signs, or however they wish to provide for this.

"Big Brother", in actuality, is a government product. It -does- exist, and exists to keep track of citizens across the globe. This, paired with the fact that anti-terrorism laws are apparently getting more and more general in their terms, serves as a nightmarish reminder that unless we act now, every crime, both minimal and extensive, could gets a citizen arrested. Big Brother merely works in synchronized unison with these laws to "keep an eye" upon every citizen, and whenever possible, to provide for their arrest.

I support lawfully placed hidden cameras, check points, speed checks, and what-have-you. But, because we've been so liberal with what they do, they're now making it so that certain types of computers have to use thumb scans in order to get online. Sooner or later, we'll be faced with the one science fiction-esque idea, of thumb scans mandatory at libraries, businesses, and even grocery stores, now becoming reality.

As for the respectable nation of Vastiva, I would like to also point out that what you put on your own property is your business. But time and time again, we've seen police officers, government agents, and businesses themselves putting cameras in bathrooms, in homes (while not even having a warrant), and much more. This isn't a scare tactic, this is actually going on around the world.

We conceed your point; however a more clear proposal would aid. What precisely is being called for?

It should be noted that retina and thumb scanners are security devices intended so the owner can ascertain the identity of someone and decide whether or not they are allowed into the building. Government facilities use DNA scanners, and those also test the freshness of the blood to prevent a Gattaca from getting in.

Really, I don't see the necessity of this, as it appears to be based on real-life events not relevent to NS.

I dont understand how thumb and retina scans are an invasion of privacy?
When scanned do they give personal information to the government or whomever you consider big brother to be? I was of the opinion that the only info this gave was just a picture of exactly that, a thumb or retina print.

Please educate as to why you believe this to be an invasion of privacy.

President Quinn would like to point out that normal hidden cameras, such as ones in stores and banks, are not effected by this act. Only cameras UNLAWFULLY PLACED should be taken out, and those who put them in fined and/or arrested.

Also, speed checks are not effect by this act. It merely serves to provide that national, state, and local government must indicate that there are cameras on those roads by means of signs, or however they wish to provide for this.

"Big Brother", in actuality, is a government product. It -does- exist, and exists to keep track of citizens across the globe. This, paired with the fact that anti-terrorism laws are apparently getting more and more general in their terms, serves as a nightmarish reminder that unless we act now, every crime, both minimal and extensive, could gets a citizen arrested. Big Brother merely works in synchronized unison with these laws to "keep an eye" upon every citizen, and whenever possible, to provide for their arrest.

I support lawfully placed hidden cameras, check points, speed checks, and what-have-you. But, because we've been so liberal with what they do, they're now making it so that certain types of computers have to use thumb scans in order to get online. Sooner or later, we'll be faced with the one science fiction-esque idea, of thumb scans mandatory at libraries, businesses, and even grocery stores, now becoming reality.

As for the respectable nation of Vastiva, I would like to also point out that what you put on your own property is your business. But time and time again, we've seen police officers, government agents, and businesses themselves putting cameras in bathrooms, in homes (while not even having a warrant), and much more. This isn't a scare tactic, this is actually going on around the world.
I can pretty much guarantee that the antarctic Sultanate of Vastiva and the tropical Grand Duchy of YGSM have diametrically opposed notions of "lawful" and "illegal".

My tinfoil beanie is perfectly intact, except for the holes where certain... well, nevermind. I assure you no global agent is monitoring the security cameras local businesses have installed in YGSM, because we have the l33t h4xx0rs 2 d+337 8!6 820t#3r!1! //3 >. <2.55//.2> 9_==135 1:¢3 t#:5iiri

Wait, where was I? Oh. I doubt there is any global organization capable of infiltrating and monitoring the security cameras in my nationstate, much less any organization capable of making use of the data.

The RFID, or microchips as they're commonly referred to, is an obvious invasion of privacy. RFID chips are promoted to help you "in case your children are abducted", or some other various reason. In reality, even teenagers, young adults, and older adults are getting these. This means that the company who produces and tracks the chips, which in return gives the information they find to the government, would be able to track a person anywhere and everywhere. If you go to the bathroom to do your business, they know where you are, thanks to the RFID microchip. Basically, it can be abused, just like every other program. It's a very real thing indeed, and would therefore be in NS. After all, if ICBMs, sonic charges, lasers, and sound weapons are available in NS, then to a lesser extent, so would RFID chips.

Thumb scans and retina scans also are an invasion of privacy, but in a much less obvious manner. Since when was it important that we get thumb and retina scans? I remember a long time ago when the only reason you needed to give your thumb print over to anybody was if you were being arrested. Apparently, the powers that be want ALL your information and they want it NOW. Why is this? Well, simple. Over 1000 seperate pieces of information turned up missing from a thumb scan database. That's 1000 people, folks, who just got their information stolen. And even worse is, once the government HAS that information, they can do whatever they please with it. Biometric identification is based on technology that is far from 100% proven effect or stable. The adequacy of data protection laws in dealing with these issues to the satisfaction of the public is in doubt. A biometric print may, for example, be considered to be in the public domain. Alternatively, people may find that they are required to provide a biometric print in many unforeseen or unintended future circumstances.

Certain points need to be made evident. Abstract fears cited are:

- that people will be de-humanised by being reduced to codes;

- that the system will enhance the power over individuals of particular organisations and the State;

- that high-integrity identification embodies an inversion of the appropriate relationship between the citizen and the State;

- that the system is a hostile symbol of authority;

- that society is becoming driven by technology-assisted bureaucracy, rather than by elected government;

- that exemptions and exceptions will exist for powerful individuals and organisations, and that the system will entrench fraud and criminality; and

- that such identification schemes are the mechanism foretold in religious prophecy (e.g. 'the Mark of the Beast' in Christianity) and therefore are a violent attack on a Christian's religious beliefs, whether they realize it or not. Learned Christians don't support abortion, know that God exists, know that Jesus was the Christ and Savior of mankind, etc. They should also know that anything that goes against their religious and moral beliefs should be rejected from their lives. Thus is the reason Christians shouldn't trust biometric scanning.

I dont understand how thumb and retina scans are an invasion of privacy?
When scanned do they give personal information to the government or whomever you consider big brother to be? I was of the opinion that the only info this gave was just a picture of exactly that, a thumb or retina print.

Please educate as to why you believe this to be an invasion of privacy.
OOC:

pish. try it some time, and see how you feel. i hate knowing the government has my fingerprints. i hate knowing my company has (only one!) my fingerprint.

i know people who got easypass, then decided to put it in a metal baggie in their glove compartment rather than let teh government track their movements.

today, i make up different passwords for every site i visit. tomorrow, i'm going to have to choose a different finger for each credit card i own. the data's just not secure when in the hands of a private company. credit card fraud will get easier, not harder, when they add thumbprint scanners to checkout aisles.

TI remember a long time ago when the only reason you needed to give your thumb print over to anybody was if you were being arrested.
Or to get certain security clearances for government work.

Thumb print security clearance was around in the 40's, 50's, and 60's? I doubt anybody had ever dreamed of such a concept in the 40's-60's. In fact, the start of biometric access through security clearance didn't start into full effect until the 80's, and even then, it wasn't until the early 90's that it became less of a pipe dream and more of an actuality. Of course, I'm going by what I've read in newspapers, books, etc.

I can pretty much guarantee that the antarctic Sultanate of Vastiva and the tropical Grand Duchy of YGSM have diametrically opposed notions of "lawful" and "illegal".

My tinfoil beanie is perfectly intact, except for the holes where certain... well, nevermind. I assure you no global agent is monitoring the security cameras local businesses have installed in YGSM, because we have the l33t h4xx0rs 2 d+337 8!6 820t#3r!1! //3 >. <2.55//.2> 9_==135 1:¢3 t#:5iiri

Wait, where was I? Oh. I doubt there is any global organization capable of infiltrating and monitoring the security cameras in my nationstate, much less any organization capable of making use of the data.

Curious. "Lawful" and "Illegal". Alright. "Lawful" would be within the restraints of the law, and "Illegal" outside of said laws. That said, our laws are based on the principles of self-determination and self-responsibility: we believe you did what you did, and why you did it is your business, usually not germaine to the discussion.

Your turn.

can this be modified to include the removal of that god-awful tv show too?

can this be modified to include the removal of that god-awful tv show too?

ROFL!
Hey, this is the UN, stranger things have happened.

Whilst i agree with many points of the proposal and am against the bugging, monitoring or in fact any form of invasion to the privacy of individuals while in private residence, i believe there is a lot of scare mongering and conspiracy theories being bounced around this thread.

Public systems of monitoring individuals are there to Protect individuals against assault and theft and assist governments in bringing felons to book. Covert uses by law enforcement and government should have strict and publically stated guidelines and in this matter i can agree that it is possible to abuse these systems.

However i can't give this proposal the blessing it requires as it is too vague in its content. A more concise rewrite would be looked on more favourably. Rather than informing us on what will happen if big brother goes unchecked tell us your proposed safe gaurds against big brothers rise.

Curious. "Lawful" and "Illegal". Alright. "Lawful" would be within the restraints of the law, and "Illegal" outside of said laws. That said, our laws are based on the principles of self-determination and self-responsibility: we believe you did what you did, and why you did it is your business, usually not germaine to the discussion.

Your turn.
I meant, in specifics.

The Grand Duchess is a figurehead. She doesn't own 51% of her socks.

Ask me again when I haven't *hic* spent the evening in the UN stranger's bar.

ROFL!
Hey, this is the UN, stranger things have happened.
soz, i was bored with the argument, and jus had to say it

on topic: i think this one should be up to indivdual governments. that being said, there should be something in place to keep such information secure and prevent other nations either accessing it, or using their systems to moinitor the activities of individuals in other countries, at lest not without the individual's and/or country's prior consent. if there is someone working out of a nation to distablise another nation, then the host nation should give its consent. in the case of information gathering, in the form of directing advertising etc, then they should get the individuals consent

I meant, in specifics.

The Grand Duchess is a figurehead. She doesn't own 51% of her socks.

Ask me again when I haven't *hic* spent the evening in the UN stranger's bar.

Ah, yes, a true difference. In your country, the Grand Duchess works for the government. In our country, the government works for the Sultan.

that citizens across the globe should never worry about invasions of privacy.

I don't think citizens should be allowed absolute privacy; when it comes down to it, if persons are involved in illegal activities - drug dealing, terrorism, etc - then, it's important for the government to observe them in order to bust them.

The RFID, or microchips as they're commonly referred to, is an obvious invasion of privacy. RFID chips are promoted to help you "in case your children are abducted", or some other various reason. In reality, even teenagers, young adults, and older adults are getting these. This means that the company who produces and tracks the chips, which in return gives the information they find to the government, would be able to track a person anywhere and everywhere. If you go to the bathroom to do your business, they know where you are, thanks to the RFID microchip. Basically, it can be abused, just like every other program. It's a very real thing indeed, and would therefore be in NS. After all, if ICBMs, sonic charges, lasers, and sound weapons are available in NS, then to a lesser extent, so would RFID chips.

Antimatter cannons, cloning, fully-developed AIs, magical spells that work, dragons, and more inhabitable planets than you can shake a Star Trek sequel at are also available in NS. Besides, they don't need microchips to know where you are in a bathroom. Motion sensors and heat sensors strong enough to differentiate between different people's heat patterns are more than enough.

Thumb scans and retina scans also are an invasion of privacy, but in a much less obvious manner. Since when was it important that we get thumb and retina scans? I remember a long time ago when the only reason you needed to give your thumb print over to anybody was if you were being arrested.

This is NS, so things are not the same as in reality. Also, your fingerprints and retinas are a matter of public record. Unless you wear gloves and walk around with your eyes shut all of the time.

Apparently, the powers that be want ALL your information and they want it NOW. Why is this? Well, simple. Over 1000 seperate pieces of information turned up missing from a thumb scan database. That's 1000 people, folks, who just got their information stolen.

Fingerprints with body oils that match the genetic and typical oil pattern of the person who has them naturally are close to impossible to fake. Besides, all it takes is some wiz kid with a computer and they can get much more than your fingerprints, and that's without them even really trying.

And even worse is, once the government HAS that information, they can do whatever they please with it. Biometric identification is based on technology that is far from 100% proven effect or stable.

In DLE, genetic scans have yet to be proven wrong due to our lack of cloning and the other technologies have had far more testing than they have in your typical MT nation. So far, I see no evidence that backs your claim.

The adequacy of data protection laws in dealing with these issues to the satisfaction of the public is in doubt.

In your nation? That's fine. They're not in mine. That's part of the fun of a dictatorship backed by the populous.

A biometric print may, for example, be considered to be in the public domain. Alternatively, people may find that they are required to provide a biometric print in many unforeseen or unintended future circumstances.

You provide a biometric print every time you touch something, shed skin, or lose hair. I doubt anyone who really wanted your information would have a hard time getting it.

Certain points need to be made evident. Abstract fears cited are:

- that people will be de-humanised by being reduced to codes;

I'm a nation with AIs everywhere. Being reduced to codes in DLE gives you an effective form of immortality and allows you access to areas most people can't get to.

- that the system will enhance the power over individuals of particular organisations and the State;

I'm a dictatorship. I can't get any more power without achieving godhood.

- that high-integrity identification embodies an inversion of the appropriate relationship between the citizen and the State;

The state orders, the citizen obeys. It's a strangely simple and effective system that works.

- that the system is a hostile symbol of authority;

If you have a bad government, overthrow them. Humans :rolleyes:

- that society is becoming driven by technology-assisted bureaucracy, rather than by elected government;

DLE doesn't have an elected government. The citizens voted against it. And considering where I am and what type of being the dictator is, technology has gone beyond assisting.

- that exemptions and exceptions will exist for powerful individuals and organisations, and that the system will entrench fraud and criminality; and

See above about overthrowing. Also, I find that putting the right person in charge deals with that.

- that such identification schemes are the mechanism foretold in religious prophecy (e.g. 'the Mark of the Beast' in Christianity) and therefore are a violent attack on a Christian's religious beliefs, whether they realize it or not. Learned Christians don't support abortion, know that God exists, know that Jesus was the Christ and Savior of mankind, etc. They should also know that anything that goes against their religious and moral beliefs should be rejected from their lives. Thus is the reason Christians shouldn't trust biometric scanning.

OOC: The 'Mark of the Beast' mentioned in the Bible is a mark upon your soul, not a mark upon your body. It's something you believe, not something you wear. Among my friends, we've come to the conclusion that Christianity itself is the source of the mark, having come to the conclusion that centuries of corruption and lies are the source. There is also a warning from Jesus about being wary of those who say they believe and do not know exactly what they believe, a warning that sounds strangely like it is warning his followers to be afraid of themselves and view their works as the source of eventual corruption and damnation. Thus, it creates the potential irony that the Savior himself may be the source of final corruption, making Christ and AntiChrist to be the same person through a twisting of his good intentions. But I'm sure I don't have to mention that old cliche about what paves the path to Hell.

What is the point of the above? It is a warning. Don't assume you speak for all educated Christians or what you speak is the absolute truth of the matter. Not all of us agree on the matter. Nor do I think we were ever intended to.

IC: That is their problem. If they don't like it in the nations that use such practices, they can move to those that don't. Why can't such a simple thing be seen by all?

OOC: The 'Mark of the Beast' mentioned in the Bible is a mark upon your soul, not a mark upon your body. It's something you believe, not something you wear. Among my friends, we've come to the conclusion that Christianity itself is the source of the mark, having come to the conclusion that centuries of corruption and lies are the source. There is also a warning from Jesus about being wary of those who say they believe and do not know exactly what they believe, a warning that sounds strangely like it is warning his followers to be afraid of themselves and view their works as the source of eventual corruption and damnation. Thus, it creates the potential irony that the Savior himself may be the source of final corruption, making Christ and AntiChrist to be the same person through a twisting of his good intentions. But I'm sure I don't have to mention that old cliche about what paves the path to Hell.

What is the point of the above? It is a warning. Don't assume you speak for all educated Christians or what you speak is the absolute truth of the matter. Not all of us agree on the matter. Nor do I think we were ever intended to.

IC: That is their problem. If they don't like it in the nations that use such practices, they can move to those that don't. Why can't such a simple thing be seen by all?

OOC: I'd kiss you on both cheeks for that one, but last time I tried, both eyes needed replacing and the wounds wouldn't stop bleeding for a week.

OOC: I'd kiss you on both cheeks for that one, but last time I tried, both eyes needed replacing and the wounds wouldn't stop bleeding for a week.

OOC: I may just sig that.

Close observation of Our citizens is required to prevent crime and anti-Nevermoore groups from taking hold. If it were not for the Mobile Anti-Crime Bots patrolling our city streets, rape and mugging might still exist in Nevermoore! If we did not have our National Fingerprint, Retina Pattern and DNA Registry, murderers might run free in our streets! These things are crucial to the safety of Nevermoore and Her people. Your insane ideals would usher in a wave of crime that would shake our safe nation to its foundations!