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Communications Data Bill: Now the Anti-Terrorism Reviewer as WELL as the Information Commissioner says it is dangerous
This morning the Independent has the story that the “Communications Data Bill” (= “your life in their computer, automatically” has been condemned by Lord Carlile, the Reviewer of Anti-Terrorist Laws:
Early plans to create a giant “Big Brother” database holding information about every phone call, email and internet visit made in the UK were last night condemned by the Government’s own terrorism watchdog.
Lord Carlile of Berriew QC, the independent reviewer of anti-terrorist laws, said the “raw idea” of the database was “awful” and called for controls to stop government agencies using it to conduct fishing expeditions into the private lives of the public.
Let us also not forget that the Bill has previously been condemned by the Information Commissioner, another watchdog. This is from Hansard Dated 17 July 2008:
“Viscount Bridgeman (Conservative):
My Lords, in view of the concern expressed by the noble Baroness about privacy, will the Government withdraw their plans for a communications data Bill to set up a database logging every private phone call and e-mail? There has been enormous opposition to the idea, including that from the Information Commissioner.”
Surveillance Powers in the UK need to be Questioned
The BBC is reporting on the abuse of surveillance powers under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2001:
Councils in England have been urged to review the way they use surveillance powers to investigate suspected crime.
Under laws brought in to help fight terrorism, councils can access phone and e-mail records and use surveillance to detect or stop a criminal offence.
Remember that. “Laws brought in to help fight terrorism“. Sir Simon Milton of the Local Government Association has written to Councils:
Sir Simon said
I love that … but was it “do this” or “do that“
“Parliament clearly intended that councils should use the new powers, and generally they are being used to respond to residents’ complaints about fly tippers, rogue traders and those defrauding the council tax or housing benefit system.”
