Big Brother is Watching

Update @ 2:55 pm

Today, from The Independent: Not only Big Brother, but Google is watching and wants to tell you how to run your life.

Previously, this morning I'd read this....
Radio Netherlands Worldwide Press Review -

Big Brother is watching and the Dutch do not seem to care, according to NRC Handelsblad and its sister paper NRC.next. The newspapers express their surprise that in spite of the introduction of all kinds of measures to monitor people's behaviour, no one appears to be bothered.

It's not just about cameras on the streets, police are allowed to stop and search people in certain areas, the authorities are sharing personal data for cross-checking purposes and young offenders could find themselves and their families under increasing scrutiny. There are no civil liberty groups springing to the defence of the rights of citizens.

Most people appear to think: "I've got nothing to hide." They trust the authorities will put things right if mistakes are made. But according to NRC Handelsblad, they are wrong. Parliament often adopts far-reaching legislation hoping that judges will make sure its not carried out to excess. As a result tramps, junkies and Moroccan youths are often the first to feel the consequences.

The Dutch National Ombudsman explains the subdued reaction, "The Dutch are pragmatic and seldom really principled."

Big Brother is watching Americans, too. If you are one of the millions of people using social networking websites such as MySpace and Friendster, be careful what you reveal about yourself.