There is already great work being done by a number of groups to fight the movement towards total surveillance, most notably NO2ID (  http://www.no2id.net ) and NOCCTV (  http://www.no-cctv.org.uk ). I’ve just had an idea for another way of getting back a bit more power, and just maybe halting some of the more ridiculous mass-surveillance operations that seem to have sprung up this summer, such as the military UAV drone at Stonehenge for the Summer Solstice this year (check it out  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBXcrsTXako ), or the CCTV cameras in the top field at Glastonbury festival.

Basically, the key to this idea is simple: under the Data Protection Act 1998, individuals are entitled to view any surveillance images of themselves and unless they have agreed otherwise, to be provided with a copy of the images, which must be provided within 40 calendar days of receiving a request.  http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/cctv_code_of_practice_html/9_responsibilities.html

I am in the process of trying to get the footage from Stonehenge this year and will upload it on here as soon as I get it. I believe if enough individuals do the same, it will make it economically unfeasible to carry out this kind of mass surveillance operation in cases like these where there is no clearly defined threat to the public. Please feel free to upload any surveillance footage you manage to obtain on here, lets get some sousveillance going…  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sousveillance

This might even in turn help to check the eventual and scarily real government vision for ‘London 2016: Everything Under Control’, as described in the Government’s Surveillance Studies Network’s report for the Information Commissioner in 2006, available below -->
 http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/data_protection/practical_application/surveillance_society_public_discussion_document_06.pdf

PLEASE COPY AND PASTE THE FOLLOWING LETTER, FILL IN THE BLANKS AND SEND IT TO THE ADDRESS BELOW. LET'S SEE WHAT HAPPENS...

Wiltshire Police
Police Headquarters,
London Road,
Devizes, SN10 2DN


Data Protection Information Request


Name:
Address:


Post Code:
Email address (if applicable):
Date:


Dear Sir/Madam,

Please supply the following information about me that I am entitled to under the Data Protection Act 1998:


I believe I was captured on camera by your UAV surveillance drone at Stonehenge at this year’s Summer Solstice celebration. I arrived onsite at approximately 10pm 20/06 and left at around 10am 21/06, and so require a copy of all the footage taken of the crowd by the drone in this period for my records and to ensure my data protection rights are being upheld. I was unhappy about this first use of a UAV drone against British citizens and will be encouraging as many of my fellows as possible to make similar applications for this footage in order to undermine the totalitarian authority implied by your indiscriminate surveillance of law abiding British citizens, and discourage other forces from employing similar tactics in the future.


(Please would you also tell me the logic involved in any automated decisions you have made about me).

If you require any further information, or a fee, please let me know as soon as possible. If you do not normally deal with these requests, please forward this letter to your Data Protection Officer or another appropriate person.

I understand that under the act, I should be entitled to a response within 40 working days of your receipt of this letter. I would be grateful if you could confirm in writing/email that you have received this request. I look forward to hearing from you.


Yours sincerely,