Topic: Big Brother (TV Show)

The Monitor's View: Taxing drivers by the mile and not by the gallon

A tax on vehicle miles traveled (VMT) was shot down last year by President Obama. But a new study by respected transportation experts – and a successful pilot program in Oregon – should revive the idea.

British students harass smokers: Is it virtuous?

When British taxpayers funded public education, the antismoking antics of The Hundred of Hoo school was not what they had in mind.

'Grim Sleeper' case raises privacy concerns over use of DNA

'Grim Sleeper' serial killer case was broken when authorities used DNA taken from the suspect's family members. Is it a breakthrough in police science or an invasion of privacy?

2010 Census: Why the count matters

As 2010 Census enumerators pound the pavement for a final tally, a look at why it's important to know what America looks like

Turkey sours on surveillance systems after alleged affair video

The resignation of Deniz Baykal, a major figure in Turkish politics, over a purported sex video has sharpened debate about whether Turkey's surveillance systems have been misused as smear weapons.

The rage over Goldman Sachs is misplaced

By claiming that Goldman Sachs derivatives had no social value, critics are missing the important and healthy market signals they send.

Britain general election: Is the minority vote, once Labour's, up for grabs?

In Britain's general election scheduled for May 6, minority voters are expected to have a greater impact than ever before. Conservatives are wooing black and Asian voters – once solidy pro-Labour – with policies they say are family- and business-friendly.

You pay someone to fill out IRS forms? Outrageous!

Call it Uncle Sam's hidden mandate. IRS forms are so complex 89 percent of taxpayers spend money for help getting them filled out.

2010 census form: What if you don't mail it back?

Thursday is Census Day – the bureau's 'target date' for Americans to mail back their 2010 census form. But census takers won't start rounding up noncompliers for another month.

Disgruntled hacker remotely disables 100 cars

Omar Ramos-Lopez, a former employee of a used car dealership in Texas, allegedly powered down 100 cars by hacking into a vehicle-immobilization system.

What if a jury – not voters – decided elections?

Politicians promise more government to lure marginal voters. One solution would be to let a random sample of jurors decide elections.

Second thoughts about Britain’s ID cards and privacy

A new survey suggests British are increasingly wary of ID cards and their government's intrusion into privacy.

Iran protests met with beatings, tear gas as Green Movement adopts new methods

Iran protests by pro-democracy advocates on National Student Day were attacked by security forces on Monday. The country's Green Movement has found new ways of organizing and keeping its message alive.

Opinion: Senate health care bill: the five paragraphs you must read

Buried in the Senate's 2,074-page health reform bill are provisions that undermine your health freedom and privacy.

New York to fight terrorism with more street-corner cameras

Mayor Bloomberg moves to expand high-tech surveillance to midtown Manhattan. But civil liberties groups are concerned, and some security experts question its value.

The Year of the Flood

Margaret Atwood’s dark, sharp, dystopic novel picks up where ‘Oryx and Crake’ left off.

Sweden's Pirate Party sets sail for Europe

Young voters gave a seat in EU parliament to new party that campaigned to loosen copyright laws.

In Arizona, cameras that nab speeders record a murder, too

Controversy flares after shooting death of a worker inside a camera-equipped van.

The Monitor's View: A road map to better US roads

Congress should heed a panel that suggests replacing a tax on gas with one on miles driven.

The Internet Safety Act launches a new battle on privacy

Column: Children need to be protected online, but these new bills go too far.

Stalk your friends with Google

Britain's civil liberties in spotlight after Parliament raid

Politicians and the press have protested police's decision to raid Parliament and arrest Conservative MP Damian Green.

Microblog while you work

E-mail only gets you so far. Now, some companies turn to a new tool: pithy online posts.

Obama now buying ads on video games

Watching Africa from the inside

New cable channels offer view of diverse continent through Africans’ eyes.