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| Britain |
| The Public Becomes Big Brother |
| 2009-10-08 |
| A new internet game is about to be launched which allows 'super snooper' players to plug into the nation's CCTV cameras and report on members of the public committing crimes. The 'Internet Eyes' service involves players scouring thousands of CCTV cameras installed in shops, businesses and town centres across Britain looking for law-breakers. Players who help catch the most criminals each month will win cash prizes up to £1,000. The Internet Eyes' website will also feature a rogue's gallery of the so-called 'criminals' along with a list of their offences and which internet user caught them. But civil rights campaigners today condemned the game, which launches in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, next month, and branded it 'a snoopers paradise'. They claim nosey neighbours could snoop on homeowners putting the wrong rubbish in bins and even motorists guilty of the most minor misdemeanors. But businessman Tony Morgan, a former restaurant owner, said it would give local businesses protection against petty criminals, and act as a deterrent once 'Internet Eyes patrol here' signs are prominently displayed. He will charge those who use the service, which could eventually include local authorities and even police forces as well as shop owners, £20 a week per camera to have their CCTV included on the site - amounting to thousands each year. 'There are over four million CCTV cameras in the UK and only one in a thousand gets watched. 'Crimes are bound to get missed but this way people the cameras will be watched by lots of people 24-hours-a-day. 'It gives people something better to do than watching Big Brother when everyone is asleep. 'We've had a lot of interest from local businesses and hope to roll it out nationwide and then worldwide.' |
| Posted by:Anonymoose |