UK government’s new surveillance rules!
Q. Which parliament approved surveillance powers for its police and intelligence services in Nov 2016?- Published on 21 Nov 16a. UK
b. British
c. Both a and b are the same
d. None of the above
ANSWER: Both a and b are the same
British Parliament has approved a host of new surveillance powers for police and intelligence services denounced by critics
- The Investigatory Powers Bill will keep customer’s browsing history for up to a year by websites and permit law enforcement agencies to access these to help them with investigations
- Edward Snowden has said the powers went further than many autocracies
- The bill is the first major update of UK surveillance laws for 15 years
- It has been passed by the House of Lords and only needs rubber stamping by the Queen
- British PM Theresa May said the bill was a world leading legislation intended to reflect changes in communication with the advent of internet and online technology
- The bill gives legal footing to hacking of computers and mobile phones while introducing safeguards such as need for judges to authorise interception warrants
- It has been called snooper’s charter by critics which say that in authorising the blanket retention and access by authorities of records of emails, calls, texts and web activity, it breaches fundamental rights of privacy
