The proposal to create a British giga-database tracking every phone call, text-message, public transit usage, CCTV capture, purchase, educational experience, medical detail, plane or train ride, toll-usage, and other transactions continues to show its absurdity. The Times's David Leppard has noticed that the legislation will also require people who buy mobile phones in the UK to present a passport and have it registered with their number. Note that even in China, throwaway prepaid SIMs are the norm -- the UK proposal makes China look like a bastion of privacy and good government.

Terrorists will just buy phones abroad and roam on them in the UK, of course.

A compulsory national register for the owners of all 72m mobile phones in Britain would be part of a much bigger database to combat terrorism and crime. Whitehall officials have raised the idea of a register containing the names and addresses of everyone who buys a phone in recent talks with Vodafone and other telephone companies, insiders say.

The move is targeted at monitoring the owners of Britain’s estimated 40m prepaid mobile phones. They can be purchased with cash by customers who do not wish to give their names, addresses or credit card details.

Passports will be needed to buy mobile phones

Recently at Boing Boing Gadgets, we got our hands on Sony's all-in-one JS desktop and the new MacBooks: they're less serviceable than ever.

There was a super-skinny external Blu-ray drive; a plushie Mickey Mouse Transformer; laser-etched coffee beans; and an excellent space-suit crafted for a short movie.

John is intrigued by Lumix's tiny cameras with interchangeable lenses, Samsung's digital picture frames that work as mini-monitors too, and a Wiimote-enabled whammy bar. He rejoiced at RPG masterpiece Mother 3's fan-created English language pack.

Joel found a fantastic military surplus online store; an easy-to-read set of digital scales; a gorgeous USB interface for guitarists; and an amusing fake ad for a handheld microwave flashlight.

Rob watched shadow-trees grow from his flesh; found an automatic accordion; read about face rashes caused by the nickel in cell phones; spotted an RPG in a pedometer; and couldn't stop laughing at Cat vs. Blender Defender.

There was an OLED cellphone design; updates on Snow Leopard; a hideous wood-print optical mouse; the 2010 Toyota Prius; and a cocktail MAME cabinet that nearly—nearly—looks good enough for a genteel living room.