CCTV: Keeping citizens under surveillance

Increasing levels of international surveillance mean that that rights to privacy are being "systematically engineered into extinction", a leading campaign group has warned.

Privacy International said there could be a violent backlash and civil disobedience as citizens express their anger at further state intrusion.

The warning came on the 100th anniversary of the birth of author George Orwell, the man who coined the term "big brother" in his book "1984".

Simon Davies, the watchdog's director, was downbeat at the growing levels of government intrusion into private lives.

"Privacy is being systematically engineered into extinction. Each day sees a new onslaught on this precious and delicate right," he said.

"Surveillance has become an epidemic. Led by the US and the UK, countries are encouraged and coerced into adopting a vast range of repressive measures designed to maximise all levels of surveillance."

Privacy International warned that Orwell's vision of an all-powerful state was fast becoming a "frighteningly realistic blueprint" for how society is developing.

Davies said that the concept of privacy could even collapse "under the sheer weight of pressure from government measures".

He also expressed fears that "within a short time anxious citizens will be reluctantly forced to take action through campaigns of civil disobedience, sabotage or subversion".

"In the past year alone there has been a substantial growth in the number of on-line resources dedicated to the sabotage of surveillance technology," he added.

"I don't like the idea of such a confrontation between citizens, technology and authorities, but I can well imagine that it is inevitable.

"The history of embattled movements to protect rights is peppered with physical and behavioural confrontation.

"A 'call to arms' will be a tactic of last resort, but there are already millions of angry and concerned citizens who would respond to such a call."

However, critics would argue that the increased threat of terrorism since the attacks of September 11 mean that states have to step up the levels of protection for their citizens.

Among the measures highlighted by Privacy International were "biometric" identity cards to strengthen border controls and the creation of dozens of national "homeland security" departments and divisions.

Other moves, such as the dilution of rights through new national and international extradition agreements have provoked wider concerns.

The campaign group also warn of new requirements being placed on communications providers to store data on the activities of their customers, a "massive" growth in the use of electronic visual surveillance and the extension of government powers to monitor the activities of citizens.