IP: U.K. police "anti-terrorism" spy powers extend to minor crimes (next the USA djf)

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

> Date: Wed, 7 Nov 2001 11:58:59 -0500
> From: Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>
>
>
>
> http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,588958,00.html
>
>    Police get sweeping access to net data
>    Blunkett will not limit scope of measure to terrorist cases
>
>    Stuart Millar, technology correspondent
>    Wednesday November 7, 2001
>    The Guardian
>
>    Sweeping proposals to give law enforcement agencies access to the
>    communications records of every UK telephone and internet user will
>    not be restricted to anti-terrorist investigations, despite assurances
>    to the contrary from the home secretary.
>
>    The Guardian has established that the detailed communications data to
>    be retained as part of the government's response to the September 11
>    attacks will be available to police investigating minor crimes. It
>    will also be available for tax collection and public health and safety
>    purposes.
>
>    Home Office officials involved in implementing the proposals in a
>    voluntary code of practice with the providers have confirmed there are
>    no plans to limit access to cases involving national security.
>
>    This directly contradicts what appeared to be an assurance given by
>    David Blunkett, the home secretary, two weeks ago in an attempt to
>    soothe the fears of civil liberties campaigners about the privacy
>    implications of blanket data retention.
>
>    [...]


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