UK Report on Importance of Bulk Interception 'Raises Question Than It Answers'

A new report highlighting the importance of bulk data interception raises more questions that in answers and is flawed, a charity claimed Friday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Earlier in the day, a report by David Anderson claimed that bulk interception of data was of "vital utility" to UK security and intelligence while other methods failed to provide same results.

"David Anderson QC’s report raises more questions than it answers. Anderson has not assessed the proportionality of the bulk powers he reviewed… Another significant flaw in the review is that the case for one of the most intrusive powers — bulk hacking of computers and entire networks — remains totally hypothetical," Caroline Wilson Palow, General Counsel at the Privacy International privacy charity, said in a statement.

The Privacy International does not see how a "meaningful balance between privacy and mass surveillance can exist," the statement reads.

UK Prime Minister Theresa May said that the UK intelligence agencies’ powers to intercept data in bulk were often "the only means" they can protect the country and its people. According to May, retention of such powers is vital.

In November, May, then home secretary, introduced the Investigatory Powers Bill to the country’s parliament. The lawmakers approved the legislation, dubbed the "snoopers' charter" by its critics, in June.

The legislation requires Internet providers to store their customers' browsing history for up to 12 months and grant access to law enforcement regardless of whether a user is under investigation or not.