This interview in Der Spiegel with outgoing Europen Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security, Franco Frattini, sums up the "privacy vs. security vs. freedom" debate.
Here is an excerpt:
Frattini: Europe’s goal must be complete protection at the outer borders and free movement within the Union. However, we also need to have the ability to catch criminals. Europe has enormous territory that offers borderless freedom of movement. We have to keep criminals from exploiting this freedom.SPIEGEL: Within the European Commission, you are responsible not just for security but also for freedom. If the Commission really achieves this surveillance of ships, trains and airplanes, you will perhaps increase security -- but what will be left of freedom?
Frattini: The first freedom is to be alive.