>Date: 4 Dec 1995 10:33:40 -0500
>From: "Dave Banisar" <banisar@epic.org>
>To: "CPSR Civil Liberties Group" <cpsr-civilliberties@Pa.dec.com>
>Subject: PRIVACY WATCHDOG OUTS BIG B
>
>
>MEDIA RELEASE
>
>Contact: Simon Davies, Privacy International
>Davies@privint.demon.co.uk
>
>PRIVACY WATCHDOG OUTS BIG BROTHER COMPANIES
>
>New report uncovers a massive international surveillance trade
>funded by the arms industry and led by the UK
>
>On Monday 4 December, Privacy International will publish Big
>Brother Incorporated, a 150 page report which investigates the
>global trade in repressive surveillance technologies. The report, to
>be published on several Web sites on the Internet, shows how
>technology companies in Europe and North America provide the
>surveillance infrastructure for the secret police and military
>authorities in such countries as China, Indonesia, Nigeria, Angola,
>Rwanda and Guatemala
>
>The reports primary concern is the flow of sophisticated
>computer-based technology from developed countries to
>developing countries - and particularly to non-democratic regimes.
>The report demonstrates how these companies have strengthened
>the lethal authority of the world's most dangerous regimes.
>
>The report lists the companies, their directors, products and exports.
>In each case, source material is meticulously cited.
>Privacy International is publishing the report in digital form in
>several sites on the Internet to ensure its accessability by interested
>parties anywhere in the world.
>
>Surveillance technologies are defined as technologies which can
>monitor, track and assess the movements, activities and
>communications of individuals. More than 80 British companies are
>involved, making the UK the world leader in this field. Other
>countries, in order of significance, are the United States, France,
>Israel, the Netherlands and Germany.
>
>_Big Brother Incorporated_ is the first investigation ever conducted
>into this trade. Privacy International intends to update the report
>from time to time using trade fair documents and leaked information
>from whistleblowers.
>
>The surveillance trade is almost indistinguishable from the arms
>trade. More than seventy per cent of companies manufacturing and
>exporting surveillance technology also export arms, chemical
>weapons, or military hardware. Surveillance is a crucial element
>for the maintenance of any non-democratic infrastructure, and is an
>important activity in the pursuit of intelligence and political control.
>Many countries in transition to democracy also rely heavily on
>surveillance to satisfy the demands of police and military. The
>technology described in the report makes possible mass
>surveillance of populations. In the past, regimes relied on targeted
>surveillance.
>
>Much of this technology is used to track the activities of dissidents,
>human rights activists, journalists, student leaders, minorities, trade
>union leaders, and political opponents. It is also useful for
>monitoring larger sectors of the population. With this technology,
>the financial transactions, communications activity and geographic
>movements of millions of people can be captured, analysed and
>transmitted cheaply and efficiently.
>
>Western surveillance technology is providing invaluable support to
>military and totalitarian authorities throughout the world. One
>British computer firm provided the technological infrastructure to
>establish the South African automated Passbook system, upon
>which much of the functioning of the Apartheid regime British
>surveillance cameras were used in Tianamen Square against the
>pro-democracy demonstrators. In the 1980s, an Israeli company
>developed and exported the technology for the computerised death
>list used by the Guatemalan police. Two British companies
>routinely provide the Chinese authorities with bugging equipment
>and telephone tapping devices.
>
> Privacy International was formed in 1990 as a non-government, non-profit
>organisation. It brings together privacy experts, human rights advocates and
>technology experts in more than 40 countries, and works toward the goal of
>promoting privacy issues worldwide. The organisation acts as an impartial
>watchdog
>on surveillance activities by governments and corporations.
>
>For further information or interview, contact Simon
>Davies in London at davies@privint.demon.co.uk. The address of the web
>site is http://www.privacy.org/pi/reports/big_bro/
>
>_________________________________________________________________________
>
>David Banisar (Banisar@privacy.org) * 202-544-9240 (tel)
>Privacy International Washington Office * 202-547-5482 (fax)
>666 Pennsylvania Ave, SE, Suite 301 * HTTP://www.privacy.org/pi/
>Washington, DC 20003
>
>
>
>