I don't think a Russian has much legitimacy lecturing an Englishman about living in a 'Big Brother' society. I mean in Russia you have SORM2, which allows the FSB to read anyone's emails and see what websites they visit, all without a judicial warrant. It also allows them to scan all the emails being sent or received in Russia for keywords.
I suppose they have also started covertly compiling dossiers on the known political and economic characteristics of Russians, since that could be done automatically using a computer program. After all, this is the former KGB we're talking about and the President of Russia is a former KGB career officer. But like President Putin said its all just to fight terrorism and organised crime, it couldn't possibly be misused, even though there are no safeguards in place. Oh well, Stavka, you had better not say anything controversial. Who knows what list of subversives you might be put on.
You mean like the American Echelon system that is in Wales? Probably not quite as sophisticated as what the US/UK gov uses...and last I checked, it was also being used by US/UK companies for espionage....how cute...and under law suit by the EU.
And Bush senior was head of the CIA and Blair started Operation Napkin...not saying to much there.