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George Orwell Was Right — Security Cameras Get an Upgrade

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the big-brother-would-be-proud dept.

Jamie stopped to mention that Bloomberg is reporting on a recent addition of speakers to public security cameras in Middlesbrough, England. From the article: "`People are shocked when they hear the cameras talk, but when they see everyone else looking at them, they feel a twinge of conscience and comply,' said Mike Clark, a spokesman for Middlesbrough Council who recounted the incident. The city has placed speakers in its cameras, allowing operators to chastise miscreants who drop coffee cups, ride bicycles too fast or fight outside bars."

3 of 499 comments (clear)

  1. V says... by Spock+the+Baptist · · Score: 5, Interesting

    "People sould not fear their governments, governments should fear their people."

    --
    "Oh drat these computers, they're so naughty and so complex, I could pinch them." --Marvin the Martian
  2. Big Brother, good. Little Brother, better! by jjh37997 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    The only problem is that it does not go far enough. Put the feeds on the internet too, open up all the cameras, and install more in all government buildings (if you're a public servant the public should be able to monitor you while you're on the clock). If someone wants to track my movements with a camera I say go ahead.... but only if I get to know who's watching me and I have the ability to watch them back. An open and transparent society can make the world both safe and free. The only thing wrong with traditional surveillance is the imbalence of power between the watchers and the watched.

  3. Re:The bigger question is... by cyber-vandal · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I'd be fascinated to know how a mere 500,000 people saved all 60 million of us from recession. Where are you getting this from?