Little Brothers

THE morning announcer, ABC Radio Southern Queensland July 7, relayed part of a previous talk-back call in which the caller claimed he possessed “no electronic footprint”.

The Chronicle July 5 “Your Medicare details – just $30” addressed in part the “dark web” and stolen identities through computer hacking.

I recognised the caller’s voice as that of a monarchist, a contributor to ABC Radio talk-back on previous occasions. Otherwise, the “no electric footprint” (in Australia?) claim would have caused me to think: he might be an illegal immigrant, has one or several assumed names and relies on only barter or “cash in hand” business transactions.

As evidence of “no electric footprint”, the caller had proffered his reliance on bank counter service through a passbook, in lieu of various ATM and credit/debit POS transactions.

Does he believe details of his deposits/withdrawals are NOT recorded against his name and other particulars in the bank’s electronic data base, but are entered by a back room “Bob Cratchit” in a ledger using ink and quill?

As the caller had previously informed ABC listeners of the British monarchy’s acknowledgement of receipt of correspondence from him; who knows, his toe print at least, may be electronically recorded in ASIO and/or MI “whatever”.

It’s not so much Big Bro we have to worry about, it’s those sneaky “little brothers” that pilfer your stuff without your permission.

— JOHN LARKIN, Toowoomba