Surveillance plan reeks of sinister intent: Thai editorial

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
Surveillance plan reeks of sinister intent
The Nation

Thai authorities take another swipe at freedom of speech by requesting information on users of social networking sites

BANGKOK: -- It is a roller-coaster ride in Thailand's political arena. Less than a week after the lower House passed preliminary approval of the amnesty bill that will pardon political crimes committed during the 2010-2011 mayhem, Thailand has again moved backwards as police announce plans to monitor the popular social-media application called Line. Line is the country's most popular chat application, with 15 million users.

The Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) plans to ask Japanese application operator Line Corp to cooperate so it can monitor conversations among "target" users, including "political groups, illegal business groups and terrorists". The authorities justify their request by citing national security - the same rationale they used to clamp down on Facebook users a week ago.

The surveillance of social networks could trigger a public outcry when more people realise their freedom of expression is to be monitored and curtailed. The vague "targeting" is intimidating because it could potentially become blanket surveillance based on the same "national security" justification. Police monitoring of everyday conversations should be halted and condemned, especially with the government promoting peace and reconciliation.

It is even more alarming that TCSD chief Major General Pisit Pao-in revealed that the agency had earlier asked the same corporation and other social-media operators to cooperate. It was spurned in that instance and Pisit expressed his disappointment. He questioned whether China's government had done any wrong in restricting social networks there. Such a bold statement makes Thailand sound closer to a police state and contradicts the government's claim to embrace democracy.

Thailand is among many countries where governments are willing to sacrifice the freedom of its citizens for improved national security. Facebook and Twitter are routinely deluged with requests for information from private accounts. In the second half of last year alone, the United States government asked to scrutinise at least 18,000 user accounts. In the first half of this year 35 different governments have submitted 1,157 requests to scrutinise Twitter accounts. Providing cause for optimism among defenders of citizens' rights, all of these requests have been turned down.

Line application developer Naver JP has received the Thai government's request but has as yet to make a decision. Its general policy is to respect user privacy unless it seems that illegal activity might be occurring. Nevertheless the developer faces a dilemma - how can it assist the authorities while at the same time maintaining the trust of its users? To share its users' secrets would only undercut its business, since fewer new clients would sign up.

Line is a chat application, and eavesdropping on private conversations is not unlike phone tapping, the only difference being between text and voice. And, if the police win over Naver, will they use the same national-security rationale to persuade providers of mobile-phone services to let then listen in on phone conversations? Technology experts say such surveillance is not as technically easy as it might seem. But the blunt announcement from the police has caused severe damage by showing that government lacks the will to uphold our right to privacy and freedom of expression. Dipping into anyone's Line account would be a major setback in the battle to enshrine and safeguard rights. If an elected government initiated such surveillance, it would be a travesty.

If national security is under threat, the government should examine the apparent causes instead of immediately clamping down on public forums. Thailand clearly has its internal problems, but just how fragile is our national security? This plan by the police is an overreaction. If a chat application could rock the country, there is little we can do to stop it. When the government decides to say, "Big Brother is watching you," there is little left to cherish about the state of the nation.


-- The Nation 2013-08-14

[NongKhaiKid]

" The Great Leap Backwards " but will their be a public outcry ? This is national security, say otherwise and the government will sue

[kurnell]

There is nobody clever enough in this country to monitor a website.

[canuckamuck]

They are confusing national security with job security of government officials.

[Noistar]

There is nobody clever enough in this country to monitor a website.

That thought lurks at the back of my mind

[Ianatlarge]

True national security revolves around a society which has a safe and productive work environment, access to education and health care, and freedom of expression. The xenophobic fear of non-existent terrorism is used as a club to batter away these rights, the civil liberties of citizens, while establishing and maintaining a police state. To be specific, far more lives would be saved if the time and money wasted on monitoring "line" was spent repairing Thailand's road system.

[Noistar]

They are confusing national security with job security of government officials.

But the electorate will never confuse facts with how they vote in elections so why the panic?

Is this government just scared of somebody pointing the figure, rather than any threat to themselves?

This government will get re-elected whatever - apathy will ensure that.

[Noistar]

True national security revolves around a society which has a safe and productive work environment, access to education and health care, and freedom of expression. The xenophobic fear of non-existent terrorism is used as a club to batter away these rights, the civil liberties of citizens, while establishing and maintaining a police state. To be specific, far more lives would be saved if the time and money wasted on monitoring "line" was spent repairing Thailand's road system.

Lives would appear to be more expendable than status and bank balance - sorry to state the obvious, sad though it is.

[Tatsujin]

There is nobody clever enough in this country to monitor a website.

You'd be surprised at what they "can" do here in terms of monitoring/surveillance. It's not as backwards as you imply.

[Yunla]

The 'monitoring terrorists, criminal groups etc.' reason given for this is classic spookspeak. Rule number one of being a successful terrorist or criminal group is you don't discuss your upcoming crimes in Chatrooms. So monitoring those chatrooms won't make any difference.

We might as well dispense with the striptease and foreplay and cut to the actual event itself, which is that this policy is designed to stop Dissent (with a capital D), it is to stop people who don't agree with the dominator monoparty system that Yingluck & co are trying to install. The forces of darkness globally know that the Web is the only weapon people have to fight totalitarianism, tyrants fear the internet, and the 'we are doing XYZ action online to stop terrorism/crime' line is really textbook classic, its what all the tyrants say when they sense a rumbling in the foundations.

Edited August 14, 2013 by Yunla

[Thai at Heart]

The 'monitoring terrorists, criminal groups etc.' reason given for this is classic spookspeak. Rule number one of being a successful terrorist or criminal group is you don't discuss your upcoming crimes in Chatrooms. So monitoring those chatrooms won't make any difference.

We might as well dispense with the striptease and foreplay and cut to the actual event itself, which is that this policy is designed to stop Dissent (with a capital D), it is to stop people who don't agree with the dominator monoparty system that Yingluck & co are trying to install. The forces of darkness globally know that the Web is the only weapon people have to fight totalitarianism, tyrants fear the internet, and the 'we are doing XYZ action online to stop terrorism/crime' line is really textbook classic, its what all the tyrants say when they sense a rumbling in the foundations.

The idea that discussing a coup on a chat program helps the country is contradictory anyway.

Wouldn't the politicians want to know if the army was fuelling up?

Edited August 14, 2013 by Thai at Heart

[Ricardo]

Perhaps PM-Yingluck should make another speech about improving freedom & democracy, in Thailand rather than Mongolia, and take appropriate steps to ensure that her government starts to do what she says, rather than the opposite ?

Or would that involve loss-of-face and a U-turn ?

[simple1]

There is nobody clever enough in this country to monitor a website.

You'd be surprised at what they "can" do here in terms of monitoring/surveillance. It's not as backwards as you imply.

That is confirmed by Thai nationals being jailed for posting content on line in contradiction to the Computer Crimes Act and other laws, as well as TV's own forum rules

[geriatrickid]

[davejonesbkk]

its funny how they choose to do this for only for Line as they are based in Asia and therefore somehow that makes it easier and ok to do but Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp etc are the big bad farang companies so they dont even bother because they will know they will get told to get stuffed.

What was that comment the cop said about they had 'taken enough from Thailand' or something? What exactly have they 'taken' from his precious Thailand apart from people's time?? Or is it just the fact that he realises its a huge business space that is not tangible and therefore he cant get his snout in the tough?

so childish

[reiltin]

You can say what you want-as long as we like what you say.You can like what you will as long as it's no one but us....No one should wonder why they they stifle debate and frown upon differing opinion(unless your a boy dressed as a girl!) -merely comic relief,the fodder of mindless national television.It's often been said by politicians here"Thais aren't ready for democracy"....Maybe if they were presented with true democracy......they might like the taste.

[Yunla]

its funny how they choose to do this for only for Line as they are based in Asia and therefore somehow that makes it easier and ok to do but Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp etc are the big bad farang companies so they dont even bother because they will know they will get told to get stuffed.

What was that comment the cop said about they had 'taken enough from Thailand' or something? What exactly have they 'taken' from his precious Thailand apart from people's time?? Or is it just the fact that he realises its a huge business space that is not tangible and therefore he cant get his snout in the tough?

so childish

I agree with you about how it is easier for them to lockdown Asian networking, but I would not list Facebook as a snoop-free secure site.The FB coding allows for monitoring of all private messages sent, as a dispute-resolve tool. And I would bet my bottom dollar that some of those employees monitoring messages on FB are govt agents. Wall posts are harder to monitor but this can also be done. People who use Facebook private messages to send secure data are running a big risk imo. On FB I would post photos of my orchids and new shoes but thats about it.

[Noistar]

its funny how they choose to do this for only for Line as they are based in Asia and therefore somehow that makes it easier and ok to do but Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp etc are the big bad farang companies so they dont even bother because they will know they will get told to get stuffed.

What was that comment the cop said about they had 'taken enough from Thailand' or something? What exactly have they 'taken' from his precious Thailand apart from people's time?? Or is it just the fact that he realises its a huge business space that is not tangible and therefore he cant get his snout in the tough?

so childish

I agree with you about how it is easier for them to lockdown Asian networking, but I would not list Facebook as a snoop-free secure site.The FB coding allows for monitoring of all private messages sent, as a dispute-resolve tool. And I would bet my bottom dollar that some of those employees monitoring messages on FB are govt agents. Wall posts are harder to monitor but this can also be done. People who use Facebook private messages to send secure data are running a big risk imo. On FB I would post photos of my orchids and new shoes but thats about it.

I think your shoes may well be outclassed!!

[jayboy]

There is nobody clever enough in this country to monitor a website.

You'd be surprised at what they "can" do here in terms of monitoring/surveillance. It's not as backwards as you imply.

Agreed.Abhisit's government set up the cyber scouts to spy on citzens for sedition so the infrastructure is in place.

Still the OP has a point.I don't know any Thai student who isn't able to bypass MICT controls.

[Thait Spot]

It is one thing to monitor acts of terrorism.

It is quite another to minitor people who disagree with the government.

This is pure police state stuff and Pisit should receive a public dressing down.

[Noistar]

You can say what you want-as long as we like what you say.You can like what you will as long as it's no one but us....No one should wonder why they they stifle debate and frown upon differing opinion(unless your a boy dressed as a girl!) -merely comic relief,the fodder of mindless national television.It's often been said by politicians here"Thais aren't ready for democracy"....Maybe if they were presented with true democracy......they might like the taste.

Agree with your views about true democracy as opposed to this type of governing - I think Thaksin's term 'one party democracy' sums it up.

The population wouldn't recognise and couldn't cope with true democracy. The mind-set isn't there. Until there's a major change, it won't ever be. Politicians are hardly renowned for putting what's best for the country, first.

[h90]

They are confusing national security with job security of government officials.

Usually that goes hand in hand.....

[DualSportBiker]

There is nobody clever enough in this country to monitor a website.

That thought lurks at the back of my mind

You are both so far removed from reality you might prompt readers to consider blind prejudice is the issue...

[Halion]

They fail to realize that they themselves are the cause of the mounting disent owing to their lack of integrity and ability in the execution of their responsibilities.

The ground swell of disatisfaction is merely the net result of a public that has had enough of bad management. Threats against their freedom of speech and right to opinions will do little to change maters in any positive manner and is a far cry from democracy.

[tominbkk]

There's lots of scanning software nowadays, so their ability to go after certain keywords is possible...but I don't see them dedicating enough staff to actually be able to do it efficiently. I also don't see the owners of Line going for it.

[MaxLee]

The military police peeps are living in middle age, ... they have no clue about fast spreading information and social media...

[jpeg]

This government will get re-elected whatever - apathy will ensure that.

Not sure it's so much 'apathy' or the lack of any effective alternative. Voting for the Dems seems to be a knee jerk reaction showing support for the monarchy and little else.

[mic6ard]

LOS should take some lesson from Uncle Sam.

Look what's happening over there, with deserters, leak information concerning spying on other gov't.

Didn't make them popular,

What's next, tapping phones? Maybe as people wouldn't use the social media anymore, and revert to using the traditional method.

These day, that's too easy with the creation of throw away phones.

[pxlgirl]

as the article states "many other countries" that are being monitored by authorities, there's one major difference:

Even though, being monitored in western countries, you are still able to speak out (unless you don't want to hurt others, like fly planes into buildings and other nasty things). In Thailand however, you can't fully speak out, on many topics, I'm not sure if one ever could. Just imagine all sorts of satire, political opinions and ridicules, that are just normal for us, would get you in big trouble here. This brings memories of east side of some iron curtain.

[SOTIRIOS]

......wake up, Thai people..........

.....world.....speak out against these atrocities perpetrated by this government of 'questionable moral integrity and intent'......