‘Extreme surveillance’ becomes UK law with barely a whimper – The Guardian

Posted November 21st, 2016 in bills, investigatory powers, news, privacy by sally

‘A bill giving the UK intelligence agencies and police the most sweeping surveillance powers in the western world has passed into law with barely a whimper, meeting only token resistance over the past 12 months from inside parliament and barely any from outside.’

Full story

The Guardian, 19th November 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Investigatory Powers Bill: ‘Snoopers Charter 2’ to pass into law, giving Government sweeping spying powers – The Independent

Posted November 18th, 2016 in bills, internet, investigatory powers, news, telecommunications by sally

‘The bill will force internet companies to store their users’ browsing data for a year, and will allow the government to force phone makers to hack into people’s handsets.’

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The Independent, 18th November 2016

Source: www.independent.co.uk

UK security agencies unlawfully collected data for 17 years, court rules – The Guardian

‘British security agencies have secretly and unlawfully collected massive volumes of confidential personal data, including financial information, on citizens for more than a decade, senior judges have ruled.’

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The Guardian, 17th October 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Investigatory Powers Bill amended to recognise privacy as ‘a fundamental priority’ – OUT-LAW.com

Posted October 14th, 2016 in bills, investigatory powers, news, privacy by sally

‘UK peers have agreed to amend the Investigatory Powers Bill to give specific recognition to privacy as “a fundamental priority”.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 13th October 2016

Source: www.out-law.com

Controversial snooping technology ‘used by at least seven police forces’ – The Guardian

Posted October 11th, 2016 in interception, investigatory powers, London, news, police, privacy, telecommunications by sally

‘Controversial surveillance technology that indiscriminately harvests information from mobile phones is being used by at least seven police forces across the country, a far larger number than previously known, according to police documents.’

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The Guardian, 10th October 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Undertaking provided for witnesses in undercover policing inquiry – Attorney General’s Office

Posted September 8th, 2016 in inquiries, investigatory powers, police, press releases, prosecutions, witnesses by tracey

‘Individuals providing certain evidence to the Undercover Policing Inquiry can do so without fear of prosecution.’

Full press release

Attorney General’s Office, 6th September 2016

Source: www.gov.uk/ago

Review finds ‘proven’ or ‘distinct’ operational case for bulk surveillance powers – OUT-LAW.com

‘There is a “proven operational case” for most of the bulk surveillance powers the UK government wishes to provide UK intelligence agencies in the proposed new Investigatory Powers Bill, the UK’s independent reviewer of terrorism legislation has said.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 22nd August 2016

Source: www.out-law.com

Internet spying powers backed by review – BBC News

‘Britain’s spies should be allowed to continue harvesting large amounts of data from emails, the government’s reviewer of terror legislation said.’

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BBC News, 19th August 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Does the BBC really have a digital licence to snoop? – The Guardian

Posted August 15th, 2016 in BBC, internet, investigatory powers, licensing, media, news, privacy, spying by sally

‘Reports of the corporation’s mass surveillance of iPlayer viewers evading their annual fee may be exaggerated.’

Full story

The Guardian, 14th August 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

New powers to tackle slavery at sea – Home Office

‘Safeguarding Minister Sarah Newton announces the commencement of new powers in the Modern Slavery Act.’

Full press release

Home Office, 8th August 2016

Source: www.gov.uk/home-office

Modern Slavery Act 2015 review: one year on – Home Office

‘An independent review into the effectiveness of the criminal justice provisions in the Modern Slavery Act 2015 one year after coming into effect.’

Full press release

Home Office, 31st July 2016

Source: www.gov.uk/home-office

The Human Rights Act helps us hold power to account. We must defend it – The Guardian

‘Protestors like John Catt are being monitored by the state without explanation – except that they ‘could be a victim’ of a future crime. What’s going on?’

Full story

The Guardian, 26th July 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Protester, 91, goes to European court over secret police files – The Guardian

‘A 91-year-old whose political activities were covertly recorded by police has won the right to take his legal case to the European court of human rights.’

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The Guardian, 25th July 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Restrictions on access to internet connection records agreed by UK peers – OUT-LAW.com

‘New UK surveillance laws will restrict access to people’s internet connection records (ICRs) further than was originally proposed after amendments to the Investigatory Powers Bill were approved in the UK parliament.’

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 20th July 2016

Source: www.out-law.com

Investigatory Powers Bill: Theresa May-led legislation could be killed by ruling from European Court, privacy campaigners claim – The Independent

‘A European Court of Justice ruling could deal a “serious blow” to Theresa May’s most prized piece of legislation, campaigners have said.’

Full story

The Independent, 19th July 2016

Source; www.independent.co.uk

Snooper’s charter could endanger journalists and sources, peers warn – The Guardian

‘Peers have issued a serious warning that the government’s proposed “snooper’s charter” law could endanger journalists and their sources.’

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The Guardian, 12th July 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Lords sound legal privilege alarm over snooping bill – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted June 30th, 2016 in bills, electronic mail, investigatory powers, news, parliament, privilege by tracey

‘Distinguished legal figures on the red benches lined up to condemn threats to professional privilege posed by the government’s investigatory powers bill as it passed its second reading in the House of Lords this week.’

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Law Society’s Gazette, 29th June 2016

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Legal professional privilege under fire – Halsbury’s Law Exchange

‘Sometimes the most fundamental principles can be most vulnerable to attack and/or erosion. As the government strives to tackle the threat posed by those who seek to undermine our democratic values in the context of an increasingly digital age, legal professional privilege (LPP) is in danger of becoming just that kind of principle.’

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Halsbury’s Law Exchange, 28th June 2016

Source: www.halsburyslawexchange.co.uk

Police must say if dead children’s identities stolen, say parents – The Guardian

Posted June 23rd, 2016 in children, identity fraud, inquiries, investigatory powers, news, police by sally

‘Bereaved parents have demanded that police reveal whether the identities of their dead children were stolen by undercover officers who spied on political groups.’

Full story

The Guardian, 22nd June 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Independent review of the operational case for bulk powers: terms of reference – Home Office

Posted June 7th, 2016 in bills, intelligence services, investigatory powers, news by tracey

‘Terms of reference for an independent review of the operational case for bulk powers.’

Full text

Home Office, 7th June 2016

Source: www.gov.uk/home-office