BBC: More than 170 arrests in facial recognition trial

The_Learner:

Arrests included a woman, 36, who was wanted for failing to appear at court for an assault in 2004

Oh, sounds very proportionate…

LefterisJP:

when such measures are introduced it is to “protect the children”

The U.K. government are very fond of this, currently. Online Safety Act (that does nothing for online safety”? “Children”. Forcing Apple’s hand to stop ADP in the U.K.? “Children”. The will to break e2ee? “Children”.

The only one they haven’t used “Children” for is ID cards - citing immigration. Which will do absolutely nothing for immigration, either.

ch0ccyra1n:

I have to wonder if the general public even buys into that argumentation

The “general public” do, yes. They don’t mind being surveilled, quoting the typical “but I’ve got nothing to hide” nonsense that has been drummed into them by thick people and the U.K. government rhetoric.

ch0ccyra1n:

or rather that they feel powerless to do anything about it anyways.

I’d say this is less “general public” and more the minority who are alive to the insidious government methods. Very soon, the U.K. will be unrecognisable for its traditional principles dating back a significant period. It’s already a Nanny State. Cash will be gone, the gov will hold keys to your secrets, know what you’re spending and where, no privacy, no security and, well, basically a mini China.