Monday, September 08, 2008

BIG Brother, Oops!, BIG Sister Comes to France! Her Name Is Edvige

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Photo of Nicolas Sarkozy courtesy of TimesOnline

Would it, perhaps, be a good idea for Edvige to spy on the private life of Nicolas himself? Now wouldn’t that be interesting! - ©Mark

TIMESONLINE: President Nicolas Sarkozy faced an embarrassing split in his Cabinet today over a computer system that a new French internal intelligence service will use to spy on the private lives of millions of law-abiding citizens.

Hervé Morin, the Defence Minister, broke government ranks to side with a growing revolt against Edvige, an acronym for a police database that will store personal details including opinions, the social circle and even sexual preferences of more or less anyone who interests the State.

Edvige, which is also a woman's name, was created by decree in July to store data on anyone aged 13 or above who is "likely to breach public order".

"Sarkozy's Big Sister", as it has been dubbed, will also track anyone active in politics or trade unions and in a significant role in business, the media, entertainment or social or religious institutions. Listed people will have limited rights to consult their files. French Revolt over Edvige: Nicolas Sarkozy's Big Brother Spy Computer >>> By Charles Bremner in Paris | September 8, 2008

LE MONDE:
Edvige : le PS conteste avoir ouvert la boîte de Pandore >>> | 09.09.2008

The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Broché) >>>
The Dawning of a new Dark Age (Relié) >>>