UK ranks fifth for electronic policing

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The UK has been named one of the worst states when it comes to using technology to police its citizens, according to a new report that ranked it behind China, North Korea, Belarus and Russia.

The report, by encryption and privacy firm Cryptohippie, highlighted the UK, but noted that the US and Singapore were close on its heels.

The UK was called out for border control, gag orders and data retention. The Home Office has recently back-pedaled on plans to hold all browser and mobile phone data in a central database.

“The usual image of a ‘police state’ includes secret police dragging people out of their homes at night, with scenes out of Nazi Germany or Stalin’s USSR. The problem with these images is that they are horribly outdated,” the report warned.

“That’s how things worked during your grandfather’s war – that is not how things work now.”

The UK ranking included Wales and England, while Scotland was ranked 13th.

The top 10 electronic police states:

1. China

2. North Korea

3. Belarus

4. Russia

5. United Kingdom: England & Wales

6. United States of America

7. Singapore

8. Israel

9. France

10. Germany

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