Interesting editorial in todays “the news”
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Ours is an increasingly ‘watched’ society, and the means of watching is changing and advancing all the time. Some have the misfortune to be watched by drones, with disaggregation a consequence. Others are so careless and ignorant of modern devices (depending on one’s point of view) that they are caught in the act of making a fraudulent credit card purchase. Some are caught live on camera committing acts of terrorism and then sauntering off seemingly without a care in the world. Still others may find themselves in a spot of bother if they read that jokey SMS or email that is in circulation about the alleged naughtiness of this-that-or-the-other government member or high official. To be specific, the spot of bother they may find themselves in could be 14 years behind bars after a prosecution under the Cyber Crimes Act – and for those who are living abroad and think themselves out of reach — bad luck, because the Act reaches out to you as well.
Our outstanding and utterly impeccable Interior Minister Rehman Malik; a man of shining probity who has never done a wrong thing in his life nor have any of his relatives for at least three generations back; has been in action again. He has announced that the FIA has started a campaign against those who send scurrilous or inflammatory stories by email or SMS, stories completely without foundation that damage the standing of the sparkle-bright and completely blemish-free diamonds of democratic governance who struggle day and night for the good of the common man. He has instructed the director general of the FIA ‘to monitor and check these stories and messages and take necessary action under the Cyber Crime Act.’ Strict action will be taken against the cyber-miscreants. Interpol has been requested for assistance with identifying the emails and websites registered abroad that are being used to disseminate such glaring untruths and libels. All ISPs are to have their waste-paper baskets checked every day for incriminating material. Anybody in receipt of one of these dreadful documents is encouraged to register their complaints on a government website. There are undoubtedly illegal and dangerous-to-the-state activities involving the mobile phone network and the internet. They need to be stopped, fast, and the perpetrators brought to book; but we do wonder precisely what level of threat is perceived in a cheeky SMS or email – so remember; they’re watching.
