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Looks like we’re not getting away totally scot-free from that seriously scary, almost Chinese-style internet snooping bill. It’s made it through today’s Queen’s speech in a draft form, complete with on-demand site, email address, social media and phone-number access, so the government can see who you contacted; what you were looking at, and for how long.
After some serious questioning from MPs, the draft bill has been modified a bit since it was proposed, thankfully. For instance the cap on accessible data has been set at only 12 months, which is a far cry from the potentially indefinite amount of data that could have been roped in. Police still won’t be able to see what you actually wrote in your texts and emails either, just who you contacted and for how long, without a warrant that is. The “real time” data-snooping clause is also only available on those under investigation for terrorism, hostage-taking, or kidnapping too, so unless you’re plotting something really nasty, it shouldn’t apply to your data.
There’ll apparently also be some other “strict safeguards” to avoid abuse. These include things like “measures” to prevent unauthorised access. They should, in theory, stop Police abusing the power to snoop, but hackers have shown they can get into almost anything these days, so outside access can’t be totally ruled out. Beefed-up independent oversight will be brought in too, along with stronger roles for complaint tribunals, so you’ll potentially have some come back if you get snooped on without cause.
I hope that makes you feel a bit less probed and invaded; I can’t say it makes me feel any more secure though. I do understand that the police often need rapid access to this kind of information especially when it comes to immediately dangerous things like terrorism and hostage taking. It’s not like I have anything to hide about what sites I visit, who I email and who I call either, but it’s the possibility for abuse that really gets me. I don’t like the idea of anyone snooping on my online goings on without having to go through due process, even though Google pretty much knows everything I do through search, email and IM these days.
The draft bill will still have to clear through Parliament, so there’s time to protest if you feel strongly enough. I can’t say the ISPs are going to be all that happy about this either, as they’re the ones who are going to have to store all this data on you and make it accessible on-demand. Storing logs for everything on everyone for 12 months, with instant access, sounds like a costly affair to me. [BBC, Guardian]
Image credit: Big Brother from Shutterstock
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This is GOING to be abused. Conucils have been abusing anti-terror laws to snoop on people for as small things such as dog owners not cleaning up their pet’s mess.
Well George Orwell, you got helicopters right in 1984, and again, from the same book, you’ve managed to predict what’s going to happen to Britain.
This passes and I will gladly be at the front of the march / protest / riot.
Well, If terrorists etc. have any sort of brains about them I guess they would simply go back to posting letters instead. I fail to see how this would stop anything to be quite honest.
As is often the case with this sort of law, it shows a massive lack of understanding by the people in charge. Same with the pirate bay blocking, there is always a way around this sort of thing for anyone who has the brains and motivation. It won’t really stop anything.
Am I the only one that thinks this already exists at Facebook et-al? As fb employees can see your private data as and when they like already…
Simply the case of governments realising they don’t have as much power as social media and Google-esque groups already have(?)
Point in case: “… even though Google pretty much knows everything I do through search, email and IM these days”
Exactly how I feel. Whenever my parents call me and say “OUR PRIVACY IS ERODING!!!” I smirk as I click like on another link.
This actually made me giggle.
so the government wants a Facebook timeline for you in everything you do not just Facebook? we are not getting a choice from old Zuckers so….
that being said they already have access to all data going through the internet pretty much through existing powers and only need to flip a switch to start this. as for storage I would think that a lot of data is already stored for a year by companies due to the advertising revenue they create by monitoring our actions online.
the problem i see is not what is said now but what is said in 10/20 years time when the government decides to change the law incrementally all for good reasons but eventually you only need one leader to start something and the next PM has the power to stop any political policy against them, just saying
I’d like to know what these “existing powers” are….
Why does that last paragraph remind me of V for Vendetta? Strength through Unity, Unity through Faith
This all seems to have slipped through without any proper opposition; I don’t know what I find more disturbing the bill or the lack of interest in stopping it.
Well the Queen just did it, You can’t really argue with her.
I would happily argue with the Queen all year long.
In America, you search Internet. In Britain, Internet search you.
Seriously though, why aren’t we up in arms opposing this? :S
Didn’t they say the same thing about that extradition agreement with the US? That they would only use it against terrorism? Look how well that turned out. I have zero confidence in this not being abused.
pff, just more reason to create a new network learning from the mistakes of the old one. Only this time, don’t let ANYBODY have rights to set rights to those who use the service.
It’s complete and utter bollocks from a Government that are so out of touch. I’m 27 years old and I’ve never voted because the part I want in power doesn’t exist, yet I live in a democracy, like fk do I. We put Governments into power so they can dictate to us how we live, that’s about as democratic as it gets. War on Terrorism, yeah I wan’t no part in that, oh whats this? I’ve been paying for this war? GJ Democrazy….
All I have as a weapon is words, and these words will fall on deaths ears. What I want in 2012, a complete Government Reform where we finally tell those fking MPS we’re through with putting up with their popularity contest.
I’m so pissed about issues like this I can’t even construct a “proper” arguement, let the fking ASBO’s rage on this summer so they can remove some more freedoms.
Arghgrhrghrgrhghr!!!
Police will abuse this, of course they will. My dad got a police report from his cop friend about a car crash i was in. I’m 18, and the driver didn’t see the report for a month later.