Journalist, editor, analyst and trainer on computing, government, climate and data
The plethora of illegal pornography on the internet requires international policing. Is web technology up to tracking offenders, asks SA Mathieson
On Home Office plans to criminalise the possession of extreme adult pornography. Continue reading “Image control”
The London bombings have intensified the debate over the government’s plans to introduce compulsory identity cards. SA Mathieson reports
The plans discussed here were broadly those which entered law through the Identity Cards Act 2006. I wrote about identity cards from 2002 until 2011, and have published a history of ID cards in Britain: more information here.
Continue reading “In the name of the law”
Bigger databases may mean greater efficiency for the state and private sector, but they could also mean more unwelcome intervention into our personal lives. SA Mathieson reports
In 2004, I spoke to up and coming MP David Cameron (my local MP, who I profiled here) about his opposition to government database plans such as identity cards. In 2011, as prime minister, he caused this to happen.
Read more about ID cards in my book, Card declined: How Britain said no to ID cards, three times over – including the full version of the interview with David Cameron. Continue reading “Knowing me, knowing you”
The Soham murder trial highlighted the use of mobile phone tracking. But how effective is the technology for consumers, asks SA Mathieson
A look at the accuracy of mobile phone tracking services for the Guardian, and the ethics in using them to track children. I have also written about how networks track users and how the technology is used by the emergency services.
Continue reading “Eyes on the child”
David Blunkett’s plan for a national ID card has sparked a furious row. But will it work? And how? SA Mathieson investigates
This was written based on a relatively early version of the plans for ID cards in 2003. I wrote about the identity card scheme from 2002 through to its destruction in February 2011. All articles on ID cards.
Continue reading “Image problem”