My e-mail seems to have generated a gratifying discussion. I was playing
Devil's advocate a bit! It is very pleasing to see that many take the issue of
misusing the NHS net work seriously and disappointing to see that some do not
think it a real possibility. The point being is that history tells us that if
it is possible for a spook or other to abuse a system, they will do so. It may
be that lifting someones notes from a hospital or surgery can be done, but
with the power of electronic surveillance now available to governments and to
motivated individuals/organisations, it is considerably easier for someone to
tune in at will. Another defence for no encryption is that it is individuals
within organisations who are much more likely to be corrupt than our 'honest',
democratically elected goverment - see the widely accepted interference by
spooks against Harold Wilson. This very true- operators of the police national
computer have found selling data to private companies- but really is an
argument for encryption with no master keys held centrally.
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