Erasing David

[Mikey]

Did anyone else watch this last night, all I can say is wow. I thought I was a little paranoid before, I'm far more so now.

The premise of the programme was following a man while he tried to disappear and two detectives tried to find him.

Alongside this was a multitude of related topics, such as the information that the government, and private companies hold on you. Amazon had a huge dossier on him, and even had noted of a conversation held with him which commented he seemed angry.

They also talked to people who's lives had been turned upside down because of incorrect information held about them. One girl had a CRB check to discover that she had a criminal record, which was incorrect. While another man, had had his credit card stolen and used to purchase child pornography in India, he was arrested and lost his job, even though eventually he was cleared.

They also had a study that showed of the 5 million CCTV cameras we have in this country, there was little difference on their assistance in resolving and detecting crime. Are we really heading down the right track, how far are we away from films like minority report.

The detectives found him after 18 days of paranoid hiding.

[di]

You'd have been better of washing your seed pots ready for sowing...too much TV's bad for the soul!

I didn't watch it but picking a couple of bits that you've said...ie They also had a study that showed of the 5 million CCTV cameras we have in this country, there was little difference on their assistance in resolving and detecting crime...and...They also talked to people who's lives had been turned upside down because of incorrect information held about them. One girl had a CRB check to discover that she had a criminal record, which was incorrect. While another man, had had his credit card stolen and used to purchase child pornography in India, he was arrested and lost his job, even though eventually he was cleared.
I'm wondering just how many figures they have for those that have had their lives turned upside down and falsely accused of something and how they relate to the figures of how many crimes have been solved because of 'Big Brother' data?
Also,I'm guessing the unfortunate few cases of those who have suffered probably used other records to prove they were innocent?

I'm not particularly keen on how much info is probably being stored about me,but as I've got nothing to hide I don't let it bother me.

[Mikey]

TS commented about this yesterday, that if you have nothing to hide then you shouldn't worry. I think this is the crux of the problem, we should all be worried.

There is so much information out there about us now, twitter, facebook, blogs, aswell as traditional databases, government census, and shopping habits tescos amazon etc.

Its becoming easier for someone to falsify information about us, and steal our identity. We really all should be worried about protecting our identity, and our anonymity.

[di]

Worried to the point of paranoia?Or just sensibly aware?

I diidn't watch 'Erasing David' so can't comment on that particular programme,but have seen similar where all they seem to do is strike paranoia in thousands.

[Mikey]

I was starting to get paranoid that I was the only one here?

[northepaul]

I think maybe you should watch "How TV Ruined Your Life" BBC2 Tues 9pm available on Iplayer, first episode might be of interest.

[Mikey]

Couldn't do that, I can't stand charlie brooker.

I watch a lot of TV it has to be said, probably too much. Most of what I watch though is generally documentary, wildlife, news, current affairs, and comedy. I watch a little drama, but soaps do nothing for me whatsoever.

Well that's probably aided amazon in targeting products specifically for me.

[northepaul]

Its no so much that its charlie brooker but how we are controlled by TV

[Mikey]

Thats it from now on I'm only going to watch comedy, as clearly the rest of TV is trying to send me subliminal messages. Phew, thank heavens Dave has re-runs of live at the apollo on loop.

Why am I drawn to looking at the number of dots on apollo, on live from the apollo. Pesky TV programmes, must check out of society at once, and live a nomadic existence, where no one knows me and I can't make friends.

No that's the Hulk isn't it.

[Hilary B]

The problem isn't how much information there is about us, it is that sometimes the information is wrong!
I want to know what information about me is held, but only so that I can deal with any errors, beyond that it really doesn't worry me in the slightest.
There has ALWAYS been a lot of information about most people, the difference is that nowadays people get about more, and so does the information. 200 years ago most people lived in communities small enough that everyone knew their business, and if they moved out of those communities it was either into another comparable community with some connection, or being strangers they were treated with suspicion. Now we are all in the 'global village' and the village wants to know all about us.....

[Two_Sheds]

TS commented about this yesterday, that if you have nothing to hide then you shouldn't worry.

What's the point of worrying? Take sensible precautions online, obey the law, don't put your bank statements in the bin without shredding them.

Oh, and don't believe everything you see on the telly

The problem isn't how much information there is about us, it is that sometimes the information is wrong!

Experian had wrong info about me, I discovered when I tried to get credit. It cost me £2 for their report and another 30p for a stamp to put them right.

Amazon know that I buy parrot books and camcorders. eBay knows that I sell a lot of Poundshop tat (that OH brings home). Tesco knows that I buy baked beans & washing powder in bulk.
So what?

[pauco]

1984 was so far ahead of it's time! As we find out to our cost now!!


paul.

[FionaH]

200 years ago most people lived in communities small enough that everyone knew their business, and if they moved out of those communities it was either into another comparable community with some connection, or being strangers they were treated with suspicion. Now we are all in the 'global village' and the village wants to know all about us.....

40 years ago more like! I had my first fag on the way home from school in 1980, my Mum knew about it by the time I got home

1984 was so far ahead of it's time! As we find out to our cost now!!


paul.

What cost? I get targeted adverts, so what? I am spotted doing my shopping on CCTV......and?

In this world women and children are still trafficked for sex, people are abused for their religious views, gay men and women are beaten to death. To mention but a few atrocities still occuring in the "modern world"

Personally I know which I would rather get uptight about!

[Mikey]

Oh, and don't believe everything you see on the telly

Tesco knows that I buy baked beans & washing powder in bulk.
So what?

I try not to believe everything, but I also try not to be too gullible.

Tescos know an awful lot more than that about us, they know how old we are, where we live, they know our family circumstances, they know what social economic group we fit into. They know when we have children, and how old they are. They know when our circumstances change, or if we lose a job. Tescos probably know more about you and where you fit into society than you do yourself.

The clubcard, has made tescos one of the largest businesses in the world, and we willingly tell them.

This information has a phenomenal value to them, and anyone else who could get hold of it, recommended third parties, will pay handsomely for their knowledge of us.

[Two_Sheds]

Tescos know ... how old we are, where we live, they know our family circumstances, they know what social economic group we fit into.

Again, I say "so what?"
So they can target their advertising. I receive coupons for goods they think I will buy based on my previous buying. They aren't trying to steal my identity for fake passports