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| Europe |
| Denmark: Campsite owners break terror laws |
| 2008-03-26 |
| For those who think the Patriot Act is draconian, stable Denmark has some news for you ... Campers and guests of small hotels may want to look over their shoulders next time they make a call or connect their computers to the internet, according to Information newspaper. Denmark's anti-terror law, which took effect 15 September, requires that hotels, B&Bs and camping sites must conduct surveillance on any of their guests' activities when they use the telephone or the internet. "Hi! We're checking out, but could you tell us what this 'E-SRV/INTRCPT' charge is for? But few places of lodging ever enforce this rule because it is too complicated and too expensive. Poul Fejer Christiansen, head of the Danish Camping Board, said that besides having to purchase surveillance equipment, campsite owners have not been given any guidance from the authorities as to how such a difficult task could possibly be carried out. 'If there isn't a free advertisement-financed solution for the owners, those expenses will end up being passed on to the guests. Someone somewhere would have to pay for it,' said Christiansen. He said that his organisation had requested a clear interpretation of the law paragraph in question from the IT and Telecommunications Board, but has yet to receive an answer. Mike Legarth, IT spokesperson for the Conservative Party, said the law must be enforced as an important piece in battling terror action in Denmark. 'We have to monitor telephones and the internet if we want to prevent terror,' he said. 'We realise it's an expense to telecommunications companies, hotels, camping sites and citizens, but it's a necessary evil if we're going to ensure a safe and secure society.' Red-Green Alliance's Line Barfod, who is a lawyer, disagreed and said the law is so full of holes that the paragraph on hotel and campsite surveillance is useless. 'The owners know that their guests can simply go to an internet café or public library to use the computer without being monitored,' she said. 'I think we should get rid of the anti-terror law and instead use the money to prevent terrorism through better investigations.' |
| Posted by:mrp |
| #2 One would think that the government would be the one to conduct surveillance on people. Isn't this just a blanket ability for hotels, etc to spy on people. You're talking the serious ability to misuse whatever information is gained from private monitoring of internet and telephone. Here in the US, they put you in jail for that kind of thing. |
| Posted by: Silentbrick 2008-03-26 19:18 |
| #1 For some reason, this article has put STEPHEN FOSTER's famous song in my head - "doodah.. doodah". |
| Posted by: JosephMendiola 2008-03-26 19:04 |