Big Brother microphones To Eavesdrop on conversations*

By Philip Johnston, Home Affairs Editor
Last Updated: 1:52am BST 02/05/2007

# Your view: Do we need a "surveillance society" to protect us from
terrorism?

Hidden mini-cameras and microphones that can eavesdrop on conversations
in the street are the next step in the march towards a "Big Brother"
society, MPs were warned yesterday.

Richard Thomas, the Information Commissioner, said a debate had begun
about whether listening devices should be set up alongside Britain's 4.5
million CCTV cameras.

A talking CCTV, Big Brother microphones could be next step
Talking CCTV: a bridge too far

In evidence to the Commons home affairs committee, Mr Thomas said he
would be hostile to such an idea.

He was also alarmed by the prospect of tiny cameras, hidden in lamp
posts, replacing more obvious monitors.

Mr Thomas even considered that so-called ''talking CCTV'', which is to
be trialled in 20 areas across the country, might be a ''bridge too
far''. This system allows operators to bellow orders at those deemed to
be behaving badly.

He said it was arguable that surveillance in Britain - which is greater
than in any other democratic nation - may already have gone too far. It
was crucial, he added, to ''proceed with caution'' to avoid creating a
climate suspicion.

MPs told Mr Thomas that their constituents were keen on CCTV, which they
found reassuring.

But Mr Thomas said that a proper assessment of whether other means of
crime control, such as improved street lighting, might be a better was
rarely carried out.

He called for ''privacy impact assessments'', which are used in
Australia and America every time a public authority wants to introduce
CCTV or start a database.

Mr Thomas believes the Information Commissioner's Office should have
more powers to investigate privacy breaches without seeking the consent
of organisations such as the NHS or Whitehall departments.

Another idea is to introduce a website detailing the position of CCTV
cameras as well as automatic numberplate recognition devices on motorways.

Mr Thomas said: "We would be wholly against hidden cameras unless there
is an extremely good reason in very, very limited circumstances."

John Denham, the committee chairman, said there appeared to be little
evidence that anyone's life had been adversely affected by CCTV or data
sharing. But Mr Thomas said complaints were regularly received at his
office. He cited a case in Essex where images of a man who had been
trying to commit suicide were used on television to show the benefits of
CCTV in tackling crime.

He said it was important there was not a "free-for-all" in accessing
people's information.

Mr Thomas quoted Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the
US, who said: "Those who lightly give up their liberties in the name of
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."

"I think there is something in that," Mr Thomas added.

Nick Clegg, the Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman, said: "This
Government has got away with the construction of a surveillance state
behind the backs of the British people for far too long."