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INFRASTRUCTURE OF THE CONTROL
It is an infrastructure created with a cross-party consent. Whether it's the regulation of PiSu or Tusk – all year there comes a fresh component of the strategy that makes us slaves in our own country.
In Poland, for respective years we have seen a process that is seldom presented in its entirety. Individual changes are introduced separately, frequently under the slogan of expanding security, combating crime or improving the efficiency of administration. Each of them seems tiny and rational. The problem begins to be visible only erstwhile we combine all the elements into 1 image. It turns out that in Poland there is simply a increasing infrastructure of control of citizens.
One of the most symbolic examples is the amendment to the National taxation Administration Act of July 1, 2022. The regulations changed 1 word. Until now, access to banking secrecy was linked to proceedings against the suspect. After the change, the word “natural person” appeared. In practice, this means that access to financial past has ceased to be a tool for a peculiar individual suspected of a crime. It became a tool for all citizen.
Earlier, specified actions required formal procedure, the approval of the prosecutor or the decision of the court. Officials present can access bank information without informing the data subject. The authoritative justification is always similar: it is simply a more effective fight against taxation fraud and economical crime. The argument is familiar: if you have done nothing wrong, you have nothing to fear.
A akin mechanics can be seen in telecommunications data. Before 2016, the service had to address requests to telecommunications operators to get a list of calls, messages or location data. Companies could at least theoretically refuse if the application was unfounded. Following the changes, direct, automated access was introduced for police and many another services. In practice, this means that data can be downloaded without asking anyone for permission.
Even before the changes in the regulations, the ministry had reached for this information more than 2 million times a year. Following the introduction of fresh solutions, a central study showing the scale of usage of these tools was removed. present we no longer know how frequently you scope for the telecommunications data of citizens.
This case even went to the European Court of Human Rights. In 2024, the Court found that Polish government infringes the right to privacy due to the fact that it allows the collection of data on citizens without the request to indicate a peculiar suspicion. The problem is not only about billing or location, but besides about the anticipation of creating secret registers of persons considered possibly linked to terrorism.
Biometric data is another component of this infrastructure. In 2021 a fresh identity card containing digital fingerprints was introduced. Under EU regulations, this data should only be stored for a short period of time, a maximum of 90 days, for the sole intent of issuing a document. However, in Poland it was decided to make a central registry in which biometric data of citizens are collected.
The difference between the password and the fingerprint is essential. Password can be changed, biometry remains with us forever. If specified data is stolen or misused, there is no anticipation of a ‘reset’.
There are also data collection systems. Digital administration, state applications, city monitoring, plate designation systems, and fresh geolocation solutions. A good example is the strategy of tolls for toll roads, which is based on location data. The admin of this information is the head of the National taxation Administration.
The authoritative nonsubjective is to improve toll collection and control of transport. However, the data collection infrastructure arises regardless of how it will be utilized in the future.
A akin trend is seen for smart devices. fresh regulations on digital device data presume that users should have access to information generated by their equipment. At the same time, public authorities may request access to specified data in circumstantial situations. This includes cars, household appliances or electronics worn on a regular basis.
Each of these systems can be justified separately by convenience, safety or the fight against crime. Together, however, they form an increasingly dense network of information about citizens: about their finances, contacts, location, wellness or lifestyle.
History shows that control systems seldom arise suddenly. Most frequently they make gradually, introduced in tiny steps and justified by immediate needs. Only in retrospect can you see how large the surveillance infrastructure was built.