A most timely publication in view of current concerns about snooping. Thomas Mathiesen describes how the major databases of Europe have become interlinked and accessible to diverse organizations and third States; meaning that, largely unchallenged, a 'Surveillance Monster' now threatens rights, freedoms, democracy and the Rule of Law.

Dictionary for Big Data About the author Preface and Acknowledgements 1. The Sociology of the Internet: Towards an "Information Society"?: A World Wide Development - Beginnings? - The Modern Computer - From Industrial Society to Information Society? - Conclusions So Far - Panopticon or Polyopticon? - Institutions Clustered around Functions Framework of Interpretation - The Technology of Political Control. 2. Enemy Images - And Terrorism: Too Much of a Simplification - Three Enemy Images - The Framework Decision on Terrorism - Appendix - Epilogue for Chapter 2. 3. The Surveillance Systems: A Case - A Plethora of Systems - The Systems (SIS and SIS II - Schengen Information System; The Sirene Exchange; The Europol Computer Systems; EURODAC; The Data Retention Directive, and -; API - Advance Passenger Information; In General: How is the future fixed?) - Finale: Echelon - A Plethora Indeed. 4. The Common Features of Information and Surveillance Systems: Integration of Systems - Weakening of State Ties - Availability - But also Force - Global Control Without a State? - Lex Vigilatoria? - Does Lex Vigilatoria Catch Terrorists? - Court Trials - Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law - What Should be Done? 5. Epilogue: The Bomb and the Massacre: The Bomb - The Massacre - Crime or Illness? - Politics or Illness? - The Trial - Conclusions - Two Additional Incidents - We Have to Hark Back - A Final Challenge. Bibliography. Index.

'I strongly recommend this book to anyone worried about the possible threats to democracy, law and scientific knowledge posed by the growth, uses and abuses of information technology. And I recommend it even more strongly to anyone who has yet to be convinced there is cause for concern': Pat Carlen, University of Leicester, British Journal of Criminology. 'Brings into the light the hidden effects of [surveillance and warns] of the need for vigilance': Tony Bunyan, Director, Statewatch. 'A timely and highly troubling analysis [ which] reinforces alarm regarding a panoptical globe': Andrew Rutherford.