9 March 2003
This document is at http://www.privacy.org.au/Media/MR030309.html
Australians are being invited to contribute examples of pointless, intrusive and self-serving security measures as part of a global competition to find the world's most stupid security measure.
The competition, conducted by human rights watchdog Privacy International, has been prompted by the rash of security measures proposed or implemented around the world since September 11 2001.
"Already, we have been swamped with hundreds of examples of just plain stupid behaviour. Like the phone company in Colorado which screens its employees and their briefcases when they come to work, but lets them take in their guns. And the rule that airline passengers are not permitted to carry a cup of coffee through the security checkpoint. And the woman in Arizona who was forced to take off her shoes before boarding a plane, and was then instructed to lift her bare feet to be wanded," said Tim Dixon, a judge on the competition panel and a spokesperson for the Australian Privacy Foundation, which is affiliated with Privacy International.
"While Australia has not been gripped by the same level of stupidity as the United States, we are headed in the same direction. Stupid security measures have become a global menace. Pushy security guards and bumptious administrators are hindering and harassing ordinary people trying to go about their business. Security has become a smokescreen for intrusive, nosy and bureaucratic practices by security firms and government agencies."
Nominations already received include:
"Security reasons are being invoked to explain away every kind of inconvenience, delay, expense and incompetence, regardless of the fact that it may have nothing to do with security," Mr Dixon said.
The Privacy Foundation has defended the competition from criticism that security procedures should not be ridiculed. "No doubt some people might want to muzzle any criticism or questioning of what they are doing. They prey on the fact that most people are good-natured, and when confronted with stupid security measures they just shrug their shoulders and say that it's okay if it keeps us safe."
"But many of these measures do not make us any safer. Instead, they make life more frustrating and create a climate of fear. If we are to defend our freedoms and our way of life, we must say no to the rising tide of stupid security."
Nominations are invited to stupidsecurity@privacy.org and are open until March 15. Nominations should be as specific as possible, mentioning the name of the guilty parties, and if possible, including evidence and references. Any government or private sector initiative or action can be nominated. Legislation and technology can also be nominated.
The judges welcome nominations in the form of narratives and anecdotes. The competition is to be judged by an international panel of well-known security experts, public policy specialists, privacy advocates and journalists. Winners of the contest's several categories will be announced at the 13th Annual Computers, Freedom and Privacy conference in New York on April 3.
For further information: http://www.privacyinternational.org/activities/stupidsecurity/
Enquiries: Tim Dixon, spokesperson, on 0411-114411
Go to the APF Home Page.
Created: 9 March 2003
Last Amended: 9 March 2003
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