Well this is depressing but unsurprising news. It seems those speed cameras the Brits are so in love with not only take pictures of speeders, but they take pictures of EVERY car that passes before them.
And even worse, they probably keep them on file forever.
According to The Register (UK), “As vehicles pass between the entry and exit camera points their number plates are digitally recorded, whether speeding or not.”
Brilliant, just brilliant …
It’s pretty widely known by now that traffic cameras (red light cameras here in the US and speed cameras in the UK) are primarily revenue generators, and do little or nothing to deter or prevent the crimes they are ostensibly set out to foil. Even worse, the last three studies I’ve read concerning the use of red light cameras here in the US show that they notably INCREASE the number of accidents, since people fear being caught up by an “unimpeachable” mechanical policeman, they jam on their brakes at the first hint of a yellow, regardless of speed, and get thumped by the next car in line.
Not only are these a bad idea from a road usage and safety standpoint, but they are also bad in leading a country down the road into becoming a surveillance society.
As security expert Bruce Schneier points out, about this specifically, “Without knowing more, I can guarantee that those records are kept forever.”
‘Why would they want to do that?’ you might innocently ask. You might also ask, ‘Why would the NSA want to record store and sift through every phone call, email and personal communication in the US?’
Start to connect those dots, and you’ll see why the phrase, “Speed Cameras Record Every Car” is one that should worry you.
Source: Schneier on Security
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