FEARS OVER UK SNOOPERS’ CHARTER
WHITEHALL officials planning their own ‘turbo-charged snoopers’ charter’ were anxiously watching events in the US yesterday. There are concerns the revolt in Washington could embolden Tory critics of the Government’s legislation.
Last week’s Queen’s Speech contained plans for sweeping new surveillance powers, including spying on social media and encrypted websites, to repair the damage caused by Edward Snowden.
The proposals, which will require providers to store details of every internet visit, text message and phone call for up to 12 months, were far broader than expected. Senior Tory David Davis warned the legislation could face a backbench rebellion. Citing the fact the US was rowing back on the amount of data it stores, Mr Davis said: ‘If one holds the data, one has... the power of a totalitarian state even if one does not behave like a totalitarian state.
Liberal Democrat former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg dubbed the plans a ‘turbo-charged snoopers’ charter’.
As in the US, some of Britain’s existing snooping laws contain a sunset clause. If no agreement can be reached, they will lapse at the end of next year.