Friday, September 24, 2004

Miracles of Telephony

About two years ago, I was running around like a madwoman using payphones and calling cards in all seasons, and at all hours of the day and night, trying to escape the pervasive surveillance I seemed to be experiencing. Yet I gradually came to realize that my efforts were futile. When you are under surveillance, the people surveilling merely report your whereabouts to some main base, and they know exactly all the phones in the area and tap-in.

Researching further on the internet, I learned that all phone calls and faxes -- whether by landline, internet, or wireless -- are being recorded (all overseas calls have been automatically recorded and archived for over 30 years), and can be traced at any time. Individual profiles can also be compiled.

Many people refuse to believe all this, yet it's true. Yet, while culprits and criminals can and have been caught and located through their use of phones, who's to say the technology and individual profiling aren't being used on law-abiding citizens? Take a look at some articles on security, telephony, legal jurisdiction, etc., and you'll soon discover that these are not 'conspiracy theorist' ravings.

Computer spyware from various companies and websites are already profiling people via their computers (eg, surfing habits, interests, newsgroups, listservs, personal data). If you doubt this, try downloading Ad-Aware to clean your computer, and see what you find.

'Police chiefs propose wiretap surcharge' - Toronto Star (August 16, 2004)

'Police chiefs want more access to private e-mail' - Toronto Star (August 23, 2004)

' Wiretap laws need overhaul, police chiefs say' - CBC News (August 23, 2004)


Other fascinating surveillance trivia...much of which is well underway in Canada.

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