It's like CCTV. Not necessarily a bad idea, but it does tend to alter the relations between the individual and the state. It's done on the basis that the state has the right to that information in all cases, not just when you're a suspect in a criminal investigation. I reckon that the government should try and limit it's surveillance on citizens unless they have good cause, not just keep tabs on everyone "just in case".
For example in Japan, iirc, they keep a database of all DNA information the police ever obtain, no matter what the circumstances, so for example, they find your DNA in a shop that has been robbed because you were in the shop the day before they keep it on a database. If your name keeps cropping up, possibly due to no fault of your own, then I imagine it sets off warning flags.
And here the government has just taken it upon itself to start doing this, without any legislation or chances for public enquiry, which seems a little suspect to me. *adjusts tinfoil hat* |
