I hear Somalia's quite nice at this time of year.

We are being observed as much as we ever have, all that's changed is the technology. CCTV cameras are taking the place of plain-clothes policemen and security guards in town centres. Email interception sits alongside snail mail interception, and is subject to the same requirements (court order). And, if you're chatting in the park, and you're a "person of interest", all that's changed is there's someone training a directional microphone on you instead of a man in a mac standing behind the nearest tree listening to you.

Also, you'll only run into CCTV in town or city centres, or on rich people's houses. Basically, places where crimes happen, or where large numbers of people congregate. If you live in a village or in the country, it's unlikely you'll ever be filmed.

Britain has various societal problems that are significantly more problematic than any issues people may have with their privacy. As far as the internet goes, for most people, you're as private as you choose to be - you can make your Facebook account private, you can stay off the likes of Twitter, and you can choose not to use your real name when posting on forums (like this one), etc.

Watch the TV series 'Person of Interest' for what could be/is possible.

That's like saying watch "Enemy Of The State" to see that satellites can see the colour of your shoes from space, or that a DNA analysis can be done in 30 seconds because you saw it on "CSI". Fiction.

Not saying it's happening now, but it could be, never say never in the world of technology.