The bill — better known as the "Snoopers' Charter" — focuses on the ability of the UK security services to monitor civilian communications and a new Home Office document outlines a controversial argument for bulk hacking an entire town through an imaginary case study.
Short vid explaining comms surveillance &why we are calling for an end to #masssurveillance https://t.co/5SJWkhBkq9 pic.twitter.com/I6CzBZADli
— PrivacyInternational (@privacyint) June 20, 2016
"Bulk communications data enables the security and intelligence agencies to identify and investigate potential threats in complex and fast-moving investigations. It allows the security and intelligence agencies to conduct more sophisticated analysis, by 'joining the dots' between individuals involved in planning attacks, often working from fragments of intelligence obtained about potential attacks," the document states.
While our attention has been diverted — the gov plans to tallow spooks to hack every device in Britain in #SnoopersCharter
— henry porter (@HenryCPorter) June 22, 2016
We don't know what we're giving up and we won't be able to get it back @marthaspurrier on the #snooperscharter #LibertyAGM
— Simon Sapper (@simonsapper) June 18, 2016
Opponents have been highly critical of these proposals though, arguing that they are disproportionate, stripping innocent people of their fundamental right to privacy. Harmit Kambo from Privacy International, told Sputnik:
"It's completely disproportionate. We've been arguing against bulk hacking powers for that very reason, that hacking powers are themselves highly intrusive, even when done in a highly targeted way, let alone if it could be done in such an indiscriminate way."
Responding to assurances that these powers would only negatively affect criminals, Kambo said that wasn't a convincing argument:
"People have a right to protect their privacy, to protect their information and I think it's a highly dangerous and insidious argument to say that if you are innocent of a crime, that you should be perfectly happy to open up your information. It's quite a perverse logic that they use to justify intruding into innocent peoples' lives."
The UK Home Secretary Theresa May has instigated a review, which will assess the "bulk powers" proposals, as well as whether or not less intrusive approaches might be possible. The Home Office faces strong opposition from within the UK Parliament, particularly from the Green and Liberal Democrat parties.
Sputnik contacted the Home Office and received the following statement:
"Bulk powers are used by security and intelligence agencies to generate intelligence about threats that cannot be acquired by more targeted means.
"Bulk equipment interference is a set of techniques used to obtain information from the devices of people who pose a threat to the UK's national security, in circumstances where the information is not available through other methods. These techniques enable security and intelligence agencies to overcome methods used by people of interest to hide their identities or their communications," the Home Office said in a written statement to Sputnik.
"We have been clear that bulk powers must be subject to robust safeguards and independent judicial oversight and the Investigatory Powers Bill will strengthen these processes.
"Bulk equipment interference warrants will need to be authorized by a Secretary of State and an independent Judicial Commissioner. A warrant may only be issued if the activity is considered to be both necessary and proportionate."
Consideration of "bulk powers" is due to take place in September, with key votes on the bill in the autumn.
