The justification for the mass surveillance of the public by the state is often equal parts patronising and accusing. We are told that the security we are offered is worth forfeiting our civil liberties. That decision is then made for us, without our consent, without reasonable grounds, and often, even without disclosure. We are given threats in the guise of assurances that if we’re innocent we have nothing to fear.
The surveillance of an individual, in a traditional sense, requires reasonable grounds of suspicion, and a court order. The invasion of an individual’s privacy can only be justified by appropriate evidence, because privacy is an intrinsic civil liberty. The digital age and brought with it the means for our governments, and its agencies to treat every individual as a suspect of a crime.
The principle of democracy is to divest the collective will of the people into a governing and legislating body. The UK government’s willingness to target its own people, without reasonable justification or limitation is horrifyingly Orwellian. It is the hallmark of an authoritarian state.
We’re Always There exists to question the surveillance practices of the British Government. We use familiar visual language; the establishment’s own voice to contact, and intervene with the public. It is made very easy for the people to suspend any concerns. Our belief is that if these injustices are vocalised, regularly and brazenly the public will have to confront the issue.
