Mulling over Jason Arnold to Steve Asher 12 Dec 2006

 > created by the citizens. I'm sure the "elite" - judges, politicians,
 > executives etc - would have their purchases & movements & health
 > records suppressed, but the rest would be open to surveilling &
 > profiling in every aspect of life.
 > 

 JA> This is true.  The criminals will have a field day with this.  The
 JA> credit card  numbers (standard stuff).  Anything that you can think
 JA> of can be used against  the people that are involved with this test
 JA> city.  Thats what I think it  really is.  A test to see if it can
 JA> be done.  But the little hackers of the  world will also have fun
 JA> with this.  If the information pipe line of this  system is
 JA> stopped.  What will people do?  As it seems, every thing will be 
 JA> done by come sort of computer transaction.

Again, the hackers will have fun, and criminals will have a field day,
but the authorities will retain control of the communications and
computer systems. It could be handy to (for example) have a panel
in your home with pushbuttons to summon emergency services, doctor,
taxi, and have them respond without you needing to tell them your
name & address - it will be coded to send that. Likewise, if you
fall behind in the rent, or council rates, you could be blocked
from your home (electronic key won't work). If President Bush
pays a visit, people could be locked in their apartment buildings
and prevented from opening windows until he passes - it might be
like living in a supermax prison, if others control the decision-
making.

Cheers, Steve..

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