Government to issue monthly ‘health breakdowns’ to all UK internet users

Recently proposed surveillance measures could be used as health advice, David Cameron suggested today. The government could issue a summary of websites visited, statistics and recommendations for each household in the UK.

The Prime Minister is in discussions with senior MPs and policy advisers about organising a monthly e-mail to citizens regarding their internet use and advice on improving their internet habits.

Combatting extreme pornography and youngsters’ radicalisation via the net seem to be the aim. As David Cameron said today:

‘We don’t want to get to the position where the State tells you what you can and cannot do on the Internet.

‘As the government already intends to access all your information anyway, it could be helpful to send a monthly summary of the types of website people visit to each registered e-mail address, with useful hints on how to access the Internet in a more healthy manner.

‘Charts showing the percentage of time spent viewing hardcore pornography compared with more wholesome viewing, like re-runs of BBC Parliament or Jamie Oliver’s website and a traffic light system illustrating their presumed terror risk – things like that.’

Critics of the system mention civil liberties and a right to privacy. The Government however believes the risk of terrorism and similar is more important.