Richard sez, "Report of another UK government secret database tracking all the details of all passenger movements in and out of the UK.The computerised pattern of every individual's travel history will be stored for up to 10 years, the Home Office admits. The Stasi would have been proud."
Dear Labour Party: Nineteen Eighty-Four is not a manual for statecraft.
Chris Grayling, shadow home secretary, said: "The government seems to be building databases to track more and more of our lives.
"The justification is always about security or personal protection. But the truth is that we have a government that just can't be trusted over these highly sensitive issues. We must not allow ourselves to become a Big Brother society."
Some immigration officials with knowledge of the plans admit there is likely to be public concern. "A lot of this stuff will have a legitimate use in the fight against crime and terrorism, but it's what else it could be used for that presents a problem," said one.
"It will be able to detect whether parents are taking their children abroad during school holidays. It could be useful to the tax authorities because it will tell them how long non-UK domiciled people are spending in the UK."
The database is also expected to monitor people's travel companions.
Spy centre will track you on holiday
(Thanks, Richard!)
