teleSUR English | 12/10/2015
The broad-reaching threat of mass surveillance is growing in Europe. European states have long been buffing up their intelligence apparatuses individually, but since the Paris attacks of November 13, European integration presents itself as more than a political and economic project. Nervous lawmakers have injected new force into security bills long stalled, piloted or even rejected. The result is a slew of policies with the claimed aim of protecting citizens through coordinated and enhanced intelligence—but the effect of degrading protection of civil liberties.
“It starts out because someone thinks it’s a good idea, and then they take on a political momentum all of their own,” Ben Hayes, a fellow at the Transnational Institute focusing on the impact of European counterterrorism policy, told teleSUR English. “Taking advantage (of the high-fear climate) is giving people too much credit. The responses would be more considered than they are; they’re a knee-jerk problem.”
Studies, past examples and testimonies of professionals close to the issue repeat the ineffectiveness and even harm that comes from sweeping security legislation. Despite “any reasoned analysis of circumstances surrounding a particular event,” said Hayes, the answer is always more surveillance.
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Naomi Cohen | journalist 