Letter: Fear for freedom

Peter Nield (Letters, 6 January) uses the classic line of all those who defend a Big Brother-style system that because he does not mind giving up his freedom then nobody else should either. This is preposterous rubbish.

The same nonsense was routinely trotted out by New Labour ministers whenever they introduced a new piece of draconian legislation.

He uses examples of him having to be searched when he goes to the USA as an example of the benign nature of biometrics and intrusive searches.

Mr Nield should be aware there is a tremendous backlash by Americans at the moment about intrusive searches at American airports, with many questioning the morality and efficacy of such searches.

Some of us do mind that children in a part of Scotland are being forced to sign up to a system which intrudes on their privacy for no good reason other than expediency.

Peter Nield tells us Angus council has seen benefits in the use of biometrics on school children although he fails to tell us exactly what they are.

Angus Council is inculcating the idea in the minds of young children that they have no right to confidentiality and that the state knows best. That is the real threat and that is why people are concerned. It is the start of a slippery slope to Aldous Huxley's Brave New World.

Alan Hinnrichs

Gillespie Terrace

Dundee