Thursday 11 June 2015

Surveillance powers: New law needed

A report has been published, commissioned by the Prime Minister, titled 'A Question of Trust'. The strong conclusion is that, "Clear new laws are needed to cover security services' powers to monitor online activity".

The 300 page report recommends (taken from BBC news item):
  • Security and intelligence agencies should be allowed to continue practising "bulk collection" of intercepted material but that "strict additional safeguards" should be introduced.
  • Judges should authorise requests to intercept communications, greatly limiting the home secretary's current role in deciding which suspect is closely monitored.
  • Proposed "snooper's charter" powers must be subjected to "rigorous assessment" of whether they would be legal or effective.
  • The definition of communications data should be "reviewed, clarified and brought up to date" and supervision of its use should be improved.

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