Comment The answer (Score 1) 513
The response to increased transparency of citizens to the government is to demand (actually insist and order) increased transparency of the government to the citizens. Whatever data or information the government (or any of its employees) receive, it automatically becomes as easily and accessibly available to the general public as it does to the government.
Why? Because in a democracy, the government are the employees of the general public, to do the public's will. And the public even gives these employees the power to imprison some of the public in certain cases. That is unusual power.
The solution to government corruption and data collection is for everything they do, know and receive to be easily, immediately and publicly available (think internet). Practical implementation - independent people with video cams follow all elected people (including opposition) 24 hours a day and record everything. It all goes on the internet. Same goes for people who draft legislation. Other government departments. All documents that government folks have copy to the internet. All conversations, including phone. Money trails. Everything seen and heard. With the exception of a few items, such as the launch codes for the nuclear missiles.
We don't impinge on the free speech of lobbyists, or tell government officials how to do their jobs. Its just all becomes a matter of easily accessible public record for our perusal, if we wish. If the government officials are doing a good job, they would have nothing to fear.
This would be the real power of the internet showing itself.
Government official complaining about lack of privacy?? Tough, because as our employee with the power to imprison us, you and your successors need watching. Governments do not need privacy.
You say criminals may use the surveillance information to their advantage. Except their actions will also be public record too.
