The Electronic Bastille 267
smooth wombat writes "Imagine a database whose aim is to centralize and analyze data on people aged 13 or above who are active in politics or labor unions, who play a significant institutional, economic, social or religious role, or who are 'likely to breach public order.' At first glance one might think the country in question is Russia or Zimbabwe but the truth is, it's a democratic nation which is implementing this database. Specifically, France. Now, with the summer break over and as the people of France return to work, there is a small but growing movement to storm this electronic Bastille. Michel Pezet, a lawyer and former member of a body charged with protecting French citizens from electronic prying, had this to say about this new data-gathering law: 'The Edvige database has no place in a democracy. There is nothing in the decree that sets limits or a framework. Whether the database is used with or without moderation depends only on orders from up high. The electronic Bastille is upon us.'"
Re:Probably not a first (Score:3, Funny)
Yeah but only in France are the DBA's going to the guillotine.
Re:Sorry... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:NWO (Score:1, Funny)
What does Hulk Hogan have to do with anything?
Anglo-French rivalry at its best (Score:5, Funny)
For years now the UK has been leader in the "Western Nation Most Likely To Become A Police State" league, and the French just can't bear to be beaten by us at anything, so in one daring move they've grabbed the crown from us. Vive la France!
Almost like... (Score:3, Funny)
mission creep (Score:5, Funny)
Dear World,
Please stop giving our government these ideas.
Thanks,
USA
Thank God (Score:5, Funny)
I live in the UK where we don't stand for this kind of nonsense.
Kudus facebook comes.. (Score:2, Funny)
Wow France finally has facebook...good for them.
Re:Sorry... (Score:5, Funny)
Nos trois principes sont Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite.
Je m'excuse, nos quatre principes sont Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite, et d'etre surveille.
Entre nos principes sont...
Re:Probably not a first (Score:3, Funny)
I believe our anonymous comrade's point was that the relationship New Labour have with socialism is that they mention it in their constitution. The idiom is akin to "chocolate is to dieting as water is to fire-starting". Or "Darling is to fiscal prudence as Thatcher was to industrial relations".
Re:Sorry... (Score:3, Funny)
Et uniformes rouges interessants
Re:Probably not a first (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Probably not a first (Score:5, Funny)
Like "TRUNCATE `admin`;" perhaps?
Re:Sorry... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Sorry... (Score:3, Funny)
Bastille Linux (Score:1, Funny)
So? Install Bastille Linux...
Re:democratic nation (Score:3, Funny)
"You do realize that Russia is a democracy, right?"
Yes, and Putin is no longer in charge.
Now that we've got that out of the way, howsabout we discuss this bargain-priced bridge I'm selling? :-)
-Jeff