den Otter wrote:
> Now, enter the surveillance system. All data is stored at separate
> places (multiple redundancy) and for cross-referencing. When trying
> to fake evidence, one would have to break into *all* the encrypted
> databases (in underground vaults) and change *all* the relevant data
> (the nasty thing is that seemingly unrelated data can nonetheless
> serve to check the validity of primary data). This is a very tough job
> to do right, and in my scenario various civil rights (non-government)
> organizations and government agancies would have joint control
> over the databases, breathing down eachothers neck all the time,
> checking for every possible irregularity. Imagine cops with cams
> integrated into their uniforms, their cars, their guns etc.,
> monitored by the people and government alike. I bet the level of
> authority abuse would drop drastically.
This would work, assuming everyone had access to the same surveillance data that the goverment did. Yet practically speaking, the US government has engaged in the exact opposite direction. Not only have they simultaneously increased their invasion of our private lives and persisted in trying to outlaw strong encryption, but they have made it as difficult as ever for the average citizen to gain access to the same data they gather through such surreptitious means.
Perhaps a system that you outline is evolving now anyway through an increase in the amount of surveillance camera's (both public and private) that are hooked up to the internet for all to peek through.
Paul Hughes