The Snoopers’ Charter Has Cleared Its First Hurdle In Parliament

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The Snoopers’ Charter Has Cleared Its First Hurdle In Parliament

Amid fierce criticism, the Investigatory Powers Bill, best known as the Snoopers’ Charter, passed its second reading in the UK’s lower house of Parliament on Tuesday.

The House of Commons gave its blessing 281-15 to with all the main opposition parties deciding to abstain from voting rather than opposing the bill. They say that the legislation needs extensive amendments before being signed into law.

During the public review session a number of prominent politicians voiced strong opposition to the bill, claiming that it was likely illegal and did not include sufficient safeguards.

In order for the bill to become law, it now needs to clear the House of Lords.

 

Press TV reports:

If passed into law, something many British politicians wish to happen by yearend, the measure would let law enforcement officials obtain a list of the websites, apps, and messaging services used by the people they deem to be suspects.

It stops short of providing a peek into the individual Internet pages someone has visited or the messages they have sent, but requires telecommunications companies to keep records of customers’ Web histories for up to a year.

As per the proposed law, the companies should also provide the authorities with access to suspects’ electronic devices upon request.

Defending the bill, British Home Secretary Theresa May (seen below) said that criminals and terrorists were taking utmost advantage of technology. “We must ensure that those charged with keeping us safe are able to keep pace,” she said.

may

The opposition Labour Party and Scottish National Party, however, abstained in the voting, saying the legislation should be amended before being signed into law.

Earlier in the day, The Guardian published a letter in which more than 200 senior lawyers and law professors had protested that the bill “compromises the essence of the fundamental right to privacy and may be illegal.”

Experts also fear that the measure might weaken encryption, which is key to ensuring that online shopping and other activities can be conducted securely.

surveillance

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