The government is considering new legislation that would allow GCHQ, etc to mointor anyone's emails, internet usage and telephone calls. Do you think this is acceptable or not?

I think whether the UK has its own version of Patriot and Patriot2 will make not one jot of difference to the way the security services operate.

Not exactly answering the question there!

You didn't include an "it's an irrelevance" option.

But is it? Thin end of the wedge and all that.

Civil liberties always suffer in times of relative economic strife. Interesting timing, given the burgeoning form of democracy and protest by internet, etc.

I love the idea that a salaried, pensioned civil servant is sat logged onto a PC all day long anxiously awaiting me to text back "OK" to my youngest daughter after she's requested a call out from Dads Taxi to get her back home.

If they give me their name I'll even personalise my texts for them, something like "Did you get that Roger ?"

Quote: McLaren_Field "I love the idea that a salaried, pensioned civil servant is sat logged onto a PC all day long anxiously awaiting me to text back "OK" to my youngest daughter after she's requested a call out from Dads Taxi to get her back home. If they give me their name I'll even personalise my texts for them, something like "Did you get that Roger ?"'" I love the idea that the Tories (rightly) opposed such ideas when in opposition – and have now done a complete about face, for no apparent new reason that has been declared. Anyway, how about us all starting now by ccing every email you post to david.cameron@number10.gov.uk?

Quote: McLaren_Field "I love the idea that a salaried, pensioned civil servant is sat logged onto a PC all day long anxiously awaiting me to text back "OK" to my youngest daughter after she's requested a call out from Dads Taxi to get her back home. If they give me their name I'll even personalise my texts for them, something like "Did you get that Roger ?"'" I love the idea that the Tories (rightly) opposed such ideas when in opposition – and have now done a complete about face, for no apparent new reason that has been declared. Anyway, how about us all starting now by ccing every email you post to david.cameron@number10.gov.uk?

I dont want security thanks.

Which brings to mind Ben Franklin: "Anyone who trades liberty for security deserves neither liberty nor security."

So GCHQ just wants to do what Microsoft, apple, google etc are already doing to us without any legislation being passed or our permission requested.

Go for it. Bore yourselves to f*******g death.

Quote: Mintball " Anyway, how about us all starting now by ccing every email you post to That would be one hell of a protest campaign And of course they'll now know that it was you who suggested it ...

Quote: Mintball " Anyway, how about us all starting now by ccing every email you post to That would be one hell of a protest campaign And of course they'll now know that it was you who suggested it ...

I must admit, the idea tickles me pink.

So I think that's a 'me too'.

Difference is that "Microsoft, apple, google etc" can't arrest you for it.