Monty's Gaming and Wireless Outlook - Issue 198

While it's sometimes a good thing to be told a spade is a spade, being whacked over the head by a shovel is not so good.

This week it was the turn of the LA Police Department to tell us how it is after the launch of its prototype SkySeer drone that looks like a remote-controlled plane and fits into a laptop bag. Think War Of The Worlds and Tom Cruise crouching in a basement... actually don't, that sounds too much like a Scientology initiation rite.

Anyway, when California's Privacy Rights Clearinghouse raised concerns about this egregious violation of our liberties, Commander Heal of the LAPD responded by saying: 'All concerns are unwarranted because everybody is already under surveillance. You shouldn't be worried being spied on by your government. These days you can't go anywhere without a camera watching you.'

Nice to know that's sorted out then, just a shame that the LAPD wasn't under as much surveillance when they beat the crap out of Rodney King and other undoubted-alleged-similar instances. But maybe all is not yet lost and technology also offers a chance for us to watch them as much as they watch us.

While I hate to use the word 'cameraphone' because it's sooo 2004 and only describes one function of a sophisticated mobile device, such features can be a useful witness to abuses perpetrated by the powers-that-ought-not-to-be as cocky with their mandate.

As the People become more aware of how their cameraphones can take video, it is more likely that British Police raids on innocent Muslims or paranoid shootings of Brazilians are more likely to be captured on film by bystanders... and it will be a lot more difficult for this footage to be seized at the scene.

So, do not be too dismayed when a SkySeer pops over your garden fence in the years to come. Just have your phone to hand, put it into video mode and smile sweetly. You haven't done anything wrong and you can prove it. Well, it's either that or hit the ****ing thing with that previously mentioned shovel.