UN Privacy Chief: Digital Surveillance ‘Worse Than Orwell’

According to the Guardian, Cannataci agreed that his notion of a new universal law on surveillance could embarrass those who may not sign up for it.

Cannataci came into his new post in July after the Edward Snowden revelations.

Although Cannataci admits his job is a complex one that is not going to be solved with magic. He says he is far from starting from scratch and believes there are at least four main areas – including a universal law on surveillance, tackling the business models of the big tech corporations, defining privacy and raising awareness among the public. All of it sounds noble, but will probably amount to Nil.

“The way we handle it is going to be the difference. But Orwell foresaw a technology that was controlling. In our case we are looking at a technology that is ever-developing, and ever-developing possibly more sinister capabilities.” Because of this, the Snowden revelations were very important, he said.

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Edward Snowden will continue to be looked upon as a traitor by some and a hero by others. His revelations confirmed what has been going on, and the extent to which it has gone out of control.”