Ours will be the first generation in centuries of British history to hand on a less free society than the one we inherited – Henry Porter (Observer). This despite the Freedom of Information Act. Britain has the largest DNA database in the world (over 1 million people, many of them children). Since 2007 we have had automatic number plate recognition cameras on major roads. Britain has the highest density of CCTV cameras per person. The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 gives hundreds of agencies access to people's personal records without their knowing. Hovering in the wings is the Interception programme for recording phone calls, emails and internet activity, plus the national identity register.