The United Kingdom has become Big Brother. The government passed the Investigatory Powers Bill, which means internet providers must provide the asking government agency with a citizen’s internet browsing history. The bill provides that power with these agencies, a few may raise eyebrows:
Metropolitan Police ServiceCity of London PolicePolice forces maintained under section 2 of the Police Act 1996Police Service of ScotlandPolice Service of Northern IrelandBritish Transport PoliceMinistry of Defence PoliceRoyal Navy PoliceRoyal Military PoliceRoyal Air Force PoliceSecurity ServiceSecret Intelligence ServiceGCHQMinistry of DefenceDepartment of HealthHome OfficeMinistry of JusticeNational Crime AgencyHM Revenue & CustomsDepartment for TransportDepartment for Work and PensionsNHS trusts and foundation trusts in England that provide ambulance servicesCommon Services Agency for the Scottish Health ServiceCompetition and Markets AuthorityCriminal Cases Review CommissionDepartment for Communities in Northern IrelandDepartment for the Economy in Northern IrelandDepartment of Justice in Northern IrelandFinancial Conduct AuthorityFire and rescue authorities under the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004Food Standards AgencyFood Standards ScotlandGambling CommissionGangmasters and Labour Abuse AuthorityHealth and Safety ExecutiveIndependent Police Complaints CommissionerInformation CommissionerNHS Business Services AuthorityNorthern Ireland Ambulance Service Health and Social Care TrustNorthern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service BoardNorthern Ireland Health and Social Care Regional Business Services OrganisationOffice of CommunicationsOffice of the Police Ombudsman for Northern IrelandPolice Investigations and Review CommissionerScottish Ambulance Service BoardScottish Criminal Cases Review CommissionSerious Fraud OfficeWelsh Ambulance Services National Health Service Trust
The Independent reported:
The main objections to the bill centre around the vast new powers that the government is given to spy on its citizens. It includes powers to force companies to make their phones less secure so that they can be listened in on by spies, and others that would allow the government to ask companies like Apple and Google to help them break or hack into phones.Perhaps the most controversial measure will require internet service providers to keep detailed information on their customers’ web browsing for the last year. There will be no way of opting out of that and the data will be collected on everyone, leading to fears that it could be stolen and leaked, especially given the huge scale of the Talk Talk hack earlier this year.In all, the new bill includes a range of changes to the law that will affect normal people, and gives Britain perhaps the most extreme spying powers in the developed world.
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