I am amazed that a proposal for the total surveillance and storing of all telecommunications data within the EU would come from a country like Sweden that has declared herself a "Moral Champion".
But then again isn't "Socialdemokratin" all about telling people what to do, think and feel?
Of course the social democratic governance of Sweden is responsible for "Folkhemet" a very efficient welfare state (At least all the way to the 80's).
But so much welfare can, and has led the government of that country to think that they know best and thus citizens should do exactly as the elite commands.
Maybe in that "Big brother" spirit came Mr Bodström's proposal.
And his argument "A person who has not committed a crime has nothing to fear" is for laughs to say the very least.
Picture this:
The government decides to install microcameras in every single room of your home for security reasons. Yaeh ya' know, if a burglar breaks in your house our boys will catch him on camera on the act. Neat huh?
"Hope you don't mind if our boys peep a little in your bedroom or your bathroom since you'll be sooo safe old boy. As long as you are not a criminal you have nothing to fear."
Thomas Bodström, Usama's worst nightmare or just a peeping Tom?
Yeah right.
This measure will be as effective against crime and terrorism, as the London surveillance cameras in catching the suicide bombers.
That stockpile of personal communication data will be there for the taking for anyone who wishes to do so including criminals.
Imagine. Insurance companies, multi national corporations, your business competitors etc. would just love to get their hands on your communication data. And they will, because in all security systems there is a weak link, and it is usually a person that can either be bribed or fooled.
In the same manner criminals and terrorists will manage to bypass the data storing system pretty soon after its implementation. After all the mouse is always one step ahead of the cat.
At least the European parliament showed some backbone and rejected this monstrous proposal. But unfortunately some sort of compromise was reached in the end, allowing each country to decide on her own as for the data storage.
Well it seems that Sweden is on a highway to hell... er I meant an Orwellian paradise.
