British Home Secretary vows to monitor all websites
UK: Plans for a hugely controversial 'snoopers' charter' giving the
police, security services and taxman the power to monitor the public's
every internet click will be unveiled today.
Home Secretary Theresa May is braced for a bruising battle with civil
liberties groups, backbench MPs and some internet companies over the
so-called Big Brother legislation.
In a significant compromise, hundreds of public bodies, including
Town Halls, will be denied any access to the new regime, which critics
claim is still unprecedented in the free world.
Other organisations, such as NHS trusts and the Environment Agency,
will have to make a case before Parliament if they want to gain access
to the communications data.
The only agencies who will be automatically given the new powers are
the police, security officials, the new National Crime Agency and HMRC.
The concession is an attempt to win over the many critics of the
legislation - which the Home Office has been trying to introduce in a
variety of different guises for six years. It will force internet
service providers to keep the data of every website visit, email, text
message and visit to Facebook or Skype for a minimum of 12 months.
Police and other government agents will not be able to access the
content of the emails or messages - but will know who was contacted,
when and by what method. (MUST) Daily Mail |