Today’s Reasonable Laws Are Tomorrow’s Authoritarian Weapons

“Big Brother is watching you” – the infamous slogan from George Orwell’s 1984, stressing the invisible threat of surveillance intended to create a culture of fear of the state. The invasiveness of totalitarianism into the general public’s life within the dystopian novel serves as a metaphor, a warning for the effects of overbearing power, which is on the rise in the UK. Invasive laws are masked as protection that are normalising government overreach, whilst those in political power remain unmonitored. This, in amalgamation with the increase of far- right ideology, results in a lack of autonomy in our own lives and the potential for democratic backsliding.

The government’s invasion into our private spheres is disguised as safety and is ruining the relationship between the state and the people. I, alongside other young people, particularly feel the effects of our government overstepping boundaries through the monitoring of social media. The Tories’ introduction of the Online Safety Act, enforced by Ofcom, effectively allows for the digital monitoring of your private conversations in the name of protection from harmful material. Equally, various social media platforms have implemented ID verification checks, which become a target for hackers; a single breach could expose the masses.

Of course, e- safety is an ongoing issue amongst young people due to matters concerning online bullying and the consumption of harmful content. Still, I personally know that many young people rely on the anonymity of social media to explore their identity. Discussions of mental health and the right for free speech are forums for self- expression, but instead, that is replaced with the fear of censorship.

Similarly, the British Transport Police has begun their six-month trial into the implementation of facial recognition in public spaces to what they describe as a “safety” measure, but how can we feel safe if we’re being constantly watched? Unregulated procedures like these can produce permanent consequences if this “autocratic” technology makes any minute error. Society feels more unfree than ever.

Now, we as the public who are subject to this invasion of privacy may rightfully assume that these laws will affect all UK citizens. Unfortunately, as surveillance expands for citizens, culpability is diminished for the elites. The long-awaited Epstein files are (scarcely) being released and have exposed the severity of the acts of those in power, such as Peter Mandelson. Starmer admitted he was aware of the relationship between Mandelson and Epstein, to what extent is unclear, but allowing this appointment given the previous knowledge of Epstein’s serious criminal allegations shows just how apparent the divide is between the governing and the governed. Our lawmakers seem to escape the chokehold of extreme supervision time and time again and get away with wrongdoings, not to mention the deeds of former Prince Andrew, who was merely stripped of his “precious” title and has so far avoided legal repercussions.

Further, there are a plethora of criminal scandals amongst MPs: Neil Parish, David Warburton and Charlie Elphicke (to name a few). All these powerful figures accused of committing abominable crimes, often against women, are supposed to be the people serving our best interests, yet they appear to be the ones upholding this fear. If they’re watching and monitoring our behaviour without accountability, how can we know the government is acting in our favour? Citizens are closely regulated, but power clearly isn’t. Feeling slightly autocratic?

Ultimately, the government feels hypocritical in its approach to surveillance and public safety, and the boundary between privacy and protection is blurred. Those in power consistently evade laws meant to encompass all individuals, and in turn, we as the public are overly supervised, whilst they are unsupervised by any higher power. Academics have warned that the UK is at risk of democratic backsliding because of government overreach. Whilst principles of democracy are upheld, if we don’t keep our rights in check, danger will arise. In Orwell’s response to dictators who have caused conflicts, he warns us of what could happen if we allow governments to hold as much power as they desire. Democracy often erodes quietly; therefore, we must become vigilant.