The 2007 International Privacy Ranking

[Gurkha]

http://www.privacyinternational.org/article.shtml?cmd%5b347%5d=x-347-559597


Summary of key findings

(Please note that "worst ranking" and "lowest ranking" denotes countries that exhibit poor privacy performance and high levels of surveillance.
The 2007 rankings indicate an overall worsening of privacy protection across the world, reflecting an increase in surveillance and a declining performance o privacy safeguards.
Concern over immigration and border control dominated the world agenda in 2007. Countries have moved swiftly to implement database, identity and fingerprinting systems, often without regard to the privacy implications for their own citizens
The 2007 rankings show an increasing trend amongst governments to archive data on the geographic, communications and financial records of all their citizens and residents. This trend leads to the conclusion that all citizens, regardless of legal status, are under suspicion.
The privacy trends have been fueled by the emergence of a profitable surveillance industry dominated by global IT companies and the creation of numerous international treaties that frequently operate outside judicial or democratic processes.
Despite political shifts in the US Congress, surveillance initiatives in the US continue to expand, affecting visitors and citizens alike.
Surveillance initiatives initiated by Brussels have caused a substantial decline in privacy across Europe, eroding protections even in those countries that have shown a traditionally high regard for privacy.
The privacy performance of older democracies in Europe is generally failing, while the performance of newer democracies is becoming generally stronger.
The lowest ranking countries in the survey continue to be Malaysia, Russia and China. The highest-ranking countries in 2007 are Greece, Romania and Canada.
The 2006 leader, Germany, slipped significantly in the 2007 rankings, dropping from 1st to 7th place behind Portugal and Slovenia.
In terms of statutory protections and privacy enforcement, the US is the worst ranking country in the democratic world. In terms of overall privacy protection the United States has performed very poorly, being out-ranked by both India and the Philippines and falling into the "black" category, denoting endemic surveillance.
The worst ranking EU country is the United Kingdom, which again fell into the "black" category along with Russia and Singapore. However for the first time Scotland has been given its own ranking score and performed significantly better than England & Wales.
Argentina scored higher than 18 of the 27 EU countries.
Australia ranks higher than Slovakia but lower than South Africa and New Zealand.

[TheDon]

Hurray.. its turning into a country like in 1984

[Gurkha]

Originally Posted by TheDon

Hurray.. its turning into a country like in 1984

Would do George Orwell proud.

[TheDon]

sure would

[Emmerich]

What a joke. Who gets to define "human rights standards"? If you went with someone elses definition the colors would change.


* The 2007 rankings indicate an overall worsening of privacy protection across the world, reflecting an increase in surveillance and a declining performance o privacy safeguards.

And this implies what? That the data/knowledge is being used illegally?


* Concern over immigration and border control dominated the world agenda in 2007. Countries have moved swiftly to implement database, identity and fingerprinting systems, often without regard to the privacy implications for their own citizens

And this is bad? Maybe if we had done it sooner 9/11 would not have happened.

* The 2007 rankings show an increasing trend amongst governments to archive data on the geographic, communications and financial records of all their citizens and residents. This trend leads to the conclusion that all citizens, regardless of legal status, are under suspicion.

Thats a truly stupid "conclusion". Ever heard of national security?


* The privacy trends have been fueled by the emergence of a profitable surveillance industry dominated by global IT companies and the creation of numerous international treaties that frequently operate outside judicial or democratic processes.

Oh yeah, the spy lobby is running rampant. Don't anyone tell the teamsters.
And exactly which treaty operates outside judicial and democratic processes and what the hell does that mean anyway?


* Despite political shifts in the US Congress, surveillance initiatives in the US continue to expand, affecting visitors and citizens alike.

I hope so.


* Surveillance initiatives initiated by Brussels have caused a substantial decline in privacy across Europe, eroding protections even in those countries that have shown a traditionally high regard for privacy.

Oh darn. Guess the increase security is overrated.


* In terms of statutory protections and privacy enforcement, the US is the worst ranking country in the democratic world. In terms of overall privacy protection the United States has performed very poorly, being out-ranked by both India and the Philippines and falling into the "black" category, denoting endemic surveillance.

Equating US with China and Russia is purely political. Which country would you want to live in? If you were to be detained by one of those governments, which ones would not notice if you disappeared?

[Honus]

Looks like Emmerich prefers his government to be intrusive and in everyone's business. I'd rather see government kept within more reasonable limits. To each his own. That's why we have elections, I suppose.

[LaRondo]

They're all Patriots, just like me.

I only wish they would take my dirty laundry to the cleaners as well, since they are already looking so closely at it ...

[Dee8go]

I think it was Ben Franklin who said "Who is willing to sacrifice personal freedoms in order to gain security will ultimately have neither." (Or something to that effect) It's true. With freedom there comes a price. Security also comes with a high price. It's best to understand the costs of each before clamoring too loudly for one or the other.

[Honus]

Originally Posted by Dee8go

...With freedom there comes a price. Security also comes with a high price. It's best to understand the costs of each before clamoring too loudly for one or the other.

Exactly right. It is encouraging to see signs that Americans will be once again permitted to have that debate without being branded as unpatriotic.

[LaRondo]

I had a discussion today, very brief ...

Someone said "We have Freedom of Speech"!

I said: "That's great., but what difference does it make? Nobody listens anyways"

Someone said: "We don't ban books!"

I said: "That's great too, but what difference does it make, nobody is reading books anymore. They all watch movies or play video games"

[Botnst]

Information searches that solve problems
How people use the internet, libraries, and government agencies when they need help
December 30, 2007
full text < http://www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/Pew_UI_LibrariesReport.pdf >
major findings < http://www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/231/report_display.asp >

This report emerges from a national survey that looks at how people use a variety of information sources to help them address some common problems that could be related in some way to government agencies and programs. The problems about which we queried included: dealing with a serious illness or health concern; making a decision about school enrollment, financing school, or upgrading work skills; dealing with a tax matter; changing a job or starting a business; and getting information about major programs such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. The survey’s major findings:

• The internet is a go-to source. In general, more people turn to the internet (at home, work, libraries or other places) than any other source of information and support, including experts and family members. There was some variance in the results, depending on the type of problem people faced. Experts mattered most when people faced health problems; government agencies topped the list when information about specific programs was the concern.

• Searchers usually end up satisfied. People tended to use two or three information sources in their quest and they generally report good results, especially when they consult government agencies, librarians, and the internet.

• Libraries meet special needs. Young adults in Generation Y (age 18-29) are the heaviest users of libraries when face these problems. They are also the most likely library visitors for any purpose. Most of those who visit libraries to seek problem solving information are very satisfied with what they find and they appreciate the resources available there, especially access to computers and the internet.

• Digital divides matter. Compared to those who have broadband connections, people who do not use the internet or who only use dial-up connections have different problems and different search strategies when they face personal issues. We call this group the low-access population and they are less successful than those with high-access to the internet in getting the material they need to address these problems.

• Government documents should be created and delivered in all shapes and sizes. A plurality of respondents said they prefer access to government documents on the internet, but significant numbers said they still would prefer to get printed government publications by mail or from government offices and libraries.

• E-government is not an option, it’s a necessity. The vast majority of Americans want and expect information about government programs to be available on the internet. People have different preferences for dealing with government, depending on the issue they face. They prefer to use the internet for information queries, but they want to use the phone or face-to-face visits to address more personal matters.

[LaRondo]

Privacy is for lonely people, guys. Me, as I am a 'Social Butterflly', like to share my privacy with as many others as I can.

I just hope that doesn't make me a 'Liberal' .... does it?

[Botnst]

Sharing privacy.

Oxymoron.

[Gurkha]

[LaRondo]

Originally Posted by Botnst

Sharing privacy.

Oxymoron.

At first glance, it seems to be true ... at second it's more like a transitional process. Privacy, once it's been shared is no longer privacy.
I mean nobody would call, whatever Mr & Mrs Regular does behind the bedroom door, an oxymoron, right?