He said the situation was especially disturbing because, apart from countries (such as China, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia and Tunisia) traditionally hostile to human rights and freedom of expression that had used the situation to step up repression, Western democracies were now posing a "new threat" to citizens' freedoms with an arsenal of new security measures.
The report said many countries had introduced facilities for general retention of data about people's e-mail traffic and Internet activity, turning Internet service providers (ISPs) and telecommunications companies into "a potential arm of the police." "Access to this mass of information is being given with alarming ease to police and intelligence services," it said. "This unprecedented abuse means all citizens are theoretically under suspicion."
The report cites the major steps taken in the drive against Internet freedoms over the past year. These include UN Security Council Resolution 1373 on fighting terrorism, the USA Patriot Act passed by the US Congress and various orders of President George Bush, the amendment of the European Union's rules on protection of electronic data, various other laws passed by parliaments around the world and the recommendations of the G8 nations and the European police body, Europol.
The report said many countries had introduced facilities for general retention of data about people's e-mail traffic and Internet activity, turning Internet service providers (ISPs) and telecommunications companies into "a potential arm of the police." "Access to this mass of information is being given with alarming ease to police and intelligence services," it said. "This unprecedented abuse means all citizens are theoretically under suspicion."
The report cites the major steps taken in the drive against Internet freedoms over the past year. These include UN Security Council Resolution 1373 on fighting terrorism, the USA Patriot Act passed by the US Congress and various orders of President George Bush, the amendment of the European Union's rules on protection of electronic data, various other laws passed by parliaments around the world and the recommendations of the G8 nations and the European police body, Europol.