Royal Academy of Engineers - Report on Privacy

The report on privacy (entitled Dilemmas on Privacy and Surveillance) has finally been published by the Royal Academy of Engineers and can be found here (pdf). The underlying theme is that engineers should design systems that protect the privacy of individuals. The report is about 64 pages long. Here is a short extract from the executive summary:

This study identifies likely developments in information technology in the near future, considers their impact on thecitizen, and makes recommendations on how to optimize their benefits to society. The report focuses on an area wherethe developments in IT have had a particularly significant impact in our everyday lives - the use of IT in surveillance,data-capture, and identity management. It looks at the threats that these technologies may pose and at the roleengineering can play in avoiding and managing these risks.