Electronic tagging being tested in the UK
In parts of the United Kingdom, authorities and retailers are experimenting with a high-tech deterrent aimed at curbing repeat shoplifters: electronic tags that trigger alarms when known shoplifters enter stores or areas from which they are banned.
The system relies on geofencing technology and detection devices that alert police or store staff the moment a tagged individual crosses into a restricted zone. Repeat shoplifters may be fitted with these tags under court order, and the bans can apply not just to specific stores but entire shopping districts or even towns. Proponents say the approach provides law enforcement with a proactive tool to deter recidivism and reduce retail losses. We think it raises serious privacy and civil rights concerns and could set a dangerous precedent for broader surveillance-based punishment.
The concept has striking parallels to American practices involving sex offender exclusion zones and GPS monitoring. In the United States, many jurisdictions already impose geographic restrictions on where individuals on sex offender registries can live, work, or travel, often barring them from coming within a certain distance of schools, parks, or other “child safety zones.” The British shoplifter-tagging scheme hints at a potential future in which those exclusion zones could become “smart,” meaning that entry into restricted areas would automatically trigger an alert to authorities or even to private entities. Such a system would effectively convert static map lines into dynamic, real-time surveillance networks.
Questions about due process, notice, and fairness immediately arise. Would a person know exactly where the invisible boundary lines were, and would they be able to contest a violation? The Fourth Amendment’s protections against unreasonable searches could also come into play, as constant electronic monitoring and automatic alerts resemble a form of perpetual surveillance. There are also serious concerns about proportionality. Tagging individuals and setting off alarms for simple proximity could be seen as an excessive form of punishment.
What happens if a system malfunctions or sends false alarms? These questions mirror many of the challenges already emerging from GPS-based sex offender monitoring systems in the United States, which have been criticized for technical errors, overreach, and a lack of clear oversight.
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They are also publishing work addresses now.
Where do you see that?
it’s on the website under search and there will be a highlighted area that says “Employment address data file” under the 4 squares of “offender search”, “neighborhood search” “campus search” and “internet identifier search”. This was not mentioned?
Not surprising given they are thoroughly entertaining the Digital ID idea while the people are resisting it.
This is very scary for executive branch has given freedom access to grants for tracking of Offenders as they put it. This climate for alot is turning very much like a young Germany before WW2 and sure they may try this on us. Its scary
Oh please explain and defend why this is a good idea Mr. D.
This is a wonderful idea.
How exactly is the very real potential of mass surveillance a “wonderful idea”?
If it’s so wonderful Mr. D then be the first to volunteer. Offer yourself as their guinea pig.
You’re right. Here’s another wonderful idea. How about a monitoring system in every vehicle that signals to law enforcement when you are going 1 mph over the speed limit and then that lawbreaker is automatically issued a $150 fine? The problem is that these extreme measures are created because of those rare, but highly publicized, abduction cases that many people associate all PFR’s with committing. Here’s a newsflash Mr. D, those individuals who committed such a crime will either be executed, in prison for life or be committed to Jimmy Ryce camp upon their release. Do your research and see how many PFR’s you can find that went to a park or school and abducted a child. Then do some quick math to determine whether your precious tax dollars should be spent on such a ridiculous idea.
I think the “D” in Mr. D stands for Dystopian.
Anonymous
Mr. D just needs a hug
I think we all do 🙂