Despite a 2010 Coalition pledge to “end the storage of internet and
email records without good reason” the Government has recently announced
plans to store more of these private records - in fact, much much more.
In 48 hours a committee of MPs could give the green light to the governments snooping plans.
Deadline is Thur 23rd Aug.
Deadline is Thur 23rd Aug.
The Committee has been reviewing all of the plans and will reveal soon
whether they approve of them or if they think the proposals need big
changes.
If tens of thousands of us send messages to the Committee
explaining why the snooping plans are wrong it could tip the balance.
Your “communications data” trail can build up a
frighteningly detailed picture of your life: who you have texted, emailed and
telephoned on any given day; where you were when the contact was made and for
how long; which websites you have visited in the privacy of your own home and
more. In particular, web addresses can tell you an awful lot about a person –
the state of their health, their hobbies or political interests.
The police already have the power to put individuals they suspect of committing crime under surveillance. But this proposal will allow information to be collected about everyone, not just suspects.
And this is not just about serious crime or terrorism. Access to communications data is granted to local authorities and hundreds of other public bodies for a wide range of purposes that have nothing to do with crime fighting.
What’s more there have and will always be methods of communication that do not come within the State’s reach, ranging from the use of pay-as-you-go mobile phones to complicated encryption techniques. Whilst the data of many innocent people will be captured serious criminals will likely avoid detection.
The police already have the power to put individuals they suspect of committing crime under surveillance. But this proposal will allow information to be collected about everyone, not just suspects.
And this is not just about serious crime or terrorism. Access to communications data is granted to local authorities and hundreds of other public bodies for a wide range of purposes that have nothing to do with crime fighting.
What’s more there have and will always be methods of communication that do not come within the State’s reach, ranging from the use of pay-as-you-go mobile phones to complicated encryption techniques. Whilst the data of many innocent people will be captured serious criminals will likely avoid detection.
Can you send a quick email to the Committee?
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/page/speakout/government-snooping-committee
NOTES:
[1] The Joint Committee on the draft Communications Data Bill, chaired by Lord Blencathra, is scrutinising the draft Bill and the policies it seeks to implement. They’ve been interviewing witnesses and gathering evidence. The deadline for written submissions is Thursday 23 August: http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/joint-select/draft-communications-bill/news/call-for-evidence/
[2] Four out of five of the overall questions asked by the Committee in their call for evidence are on technical aspects of the proposals: http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/joint-select/draft-communications-bill/news/press-notice/
[3] 38 Degrees petition against government snooping: https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/privacy-petition
[1] The Joint Committee on the draft Communications Data Bill, chaired by Lord Blencathra, is scrutinising the draft Bill and the policies it seeks to implement. They’ve been interviewing witnesses and gathering evidence. The deadline for written submissions is Thursday 23 August: http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/joint-select/draft-communications-bill/news/call-for-evidence/
[2] Four out of five of the overall questions asked by the Committee in their call for evidence are on technical aspects of the proposals: http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/joint-select/draft-communications-bill/news/press-notice/
[3] 38 Degrees petition against government snooping: https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/privacy-petition
•
See what LIBERTY says
"We are a nation of citizens, not
suspects.
Say NO to the snoopers' charter."
Mythbuster:
http://www.liberty-human-rights.org.uk/campaigns/no-snoopers-charter/snoopers-charter-mythbuster.php
Many other countries have decided this type of data gathering is "unconstitutional"
Don't let them take away our privacy - what's next?
•
Can you send a quick email to the Committee?
•
Sign the AVAAZ.ORG petition as well
sign the petition to beat back big brother, then forward it widely
and all our voices will be sent to the review together on Thursday:
The spying law would make accessible a list of all our communications, including email addresses or phone numbers of friends we connect with and the time, length and location of those interactions. Although the content of communications would only be visible to police with a warrant, this law is dangerous because it exposes a treasure trove of information about us to the government but contains almost no safeguards, leaving it wide open to abuse.
•
SOURCES
Q&A: UK plan to monitor all email, phone and and web use (BBC)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-17590363
Government plans increased email and social network surveillance (The Guardian)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/apr/01/government-email-social-network-surveillance?INTCMP=SRCH
FAQ: The Communications Capabilities Development Programme (Privacy International)
https://www.privacyinternational.org/blog/faq-the-communications-capabilities-development-programme
Big Brother would like to watch you (Avaaz Daily Briefing)
https://en.avaaz.org/274/big-brother-would-like-to-watch-you
The surveillance state: growing under a coalition that pledged to reverse it (The Guardian)
http://afr.com/p/national/acma_eyes_piracy_claims_GeXBGicP0S24A77ohksfkK
Q&A: UK plan to monitor all email, phone and and web use (BBC)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-17590363
Government plans increased email and social network surveillance (The Guardian)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/apr/01/government-email-social-network-surveillance?INTCMP=SRCH
FAQ: The Communications Capabilities Development Programme (Privacy International)
https://www.privacyinternational.org/blog/faq-the-communications-capabilities-development-programme
Big Brother would like to watch you (Avaaz Daily Briefing)
https://en.avaaz.org/274/big-brother-would-like-to-watch-you
The surveillance state: growing under a coalition that pledged to reverse it (The Guardian)
http://afr.com/p/national/acma_eyes_piracy_claims_GeXBGicP0S24A77ohksfkK
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