Archive for ripa
Draft Communications Data Bill: working through the clauses
I’ve written extensively about the wider issues around the Draft Communications Data Bill already, but in this post I’m collecting some of my thoughts on the details of its individual clauses. My view of the more general perspective is summed up in Walking: it’s time to take action on this major terrorist threat. By all [...]
Seven reasons the Interception of Communications Commissioner has failed
I’ve been reading through all the annual reports issues by the Interception of Communications Commissioner since the passage of Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. He is meant to make sure that the powers granted to public bodies under RIPA to intercept our communications are being used correctly. The annual reports are not a pretty [...]
Former GCHQ chief offers six principles for online monitoring
The Demos think tank report into online monitoring and what should or should not be done is of particular interest as one of the co-authors is Sir David Omand, the man formerly in charge at GCHQ. He and his co-authors offer up six principles for state monitoring of social media: We believe any use of [...]
Interception of Communications Commissioner: Annual Reports
I have been putting together a set of the Annual Reports from the Interception of Communications Commissioner for future reference, so in case anyone else finds it useuful too… Interception of Communications Commissioner – 2000 Annual Report Interception of Communications Commissioner – 2001 Annual Report Interception of Communications Commissioner – 2002 Annual Report Interception of [...]
Lynne Featherstone’s view on reforming RIPA
I blogged yesterday about how flawed RIPA, the regulatory structure for official snooping on our communications, is. What’s the view of Lynne Featherstone, the Liberal Democrat minister in the Home Office, about all this? Well, this is what she posted up on her Facebook wall during the week: My view – support for any new [...]
Why RIPA is flawed
Greg Callus’s excellent post dissects in documented detail some of the problems with the RIPA regulatory mechanism – and why therefore simply extending the range of data that can be accessed under RIPA would be extending the range of data that can be accessed without proper control. In particular: Sometimes, there isn’t time for a [...]
A double dose from me on civil liberties in today’s Independent
First, in the story about the letter to Tim Farron from Lib Dem members over online snooping: And then on the letters page, with added commas courtesy of the sub-eds: David Cameron is right to say that the government’s first priority is to protect the public. When it comes to his plans for online surveillance, [...]
Anti-terrorism review: 6 questions to judge the government by
With the publication of the government’s anti-terrorism review just about to happen, and likely to include a large number of details, what are the key points to look for in judging how the review has gone? So far, we know one outcome – the reduction in the maximum period people can be held without charge [...]
More details published of Government’s review of anti-terrorism powers
A Home Office news release tells us: The Home Secretary has announced today that a rapid review of key counter-terrorism and security powers is underway. The review will look at what counter-terrorism powers and measures could be rolled back in order to restore the balance of civil liberties and counter-terrorism powers… The review will look [...]
What they said about RIPA at the time
It’s March 2000 and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Bill is going through Parliament. Then Home Secretary Charles Clarke is defending the Bill during its second reading. Reading the views expressed by Conservatives in the debate shows up an interesting split: some MPs concerned about civil liberties but also some pressing for the powers to [...]
