Wednesday 4 November 2015

Draft Investigatory Powers Bill (1) - The Bill and Background reports

Updated 7th November:

The Government has published a much heralded draft bill on the operation and regulation of the investigatory powers used by the police and the intelligence and security agencies.

See also the various Factsheets issued by the government.

The Bill is a large document (9 Parts and 9 Schedules) and requires some detailed consideration.  The first link provided above goes to a document that is 299 pages long.  No doubt, in the weeks to come, there will be volumes of comments.  Meanwhile, here is some of the background material.

Intelligence and Security Committee Report of Privacy and Security - March 2015:

This Report includes, for the first time in a single document,
a comprehensive review of the full range of intrusive capabilities available to the UK intelligence Agencies. It contains an unprecedented amount of information about those capabilities, the legal framework governing their use, and the privacy protections and safeguards that apply. The Report also reveals the use of certain capabilities – such as Bulk Personal Datasets and Directions under the Telecommunications Act 1984 – for the first time. The Report represents a landmark in terms of the openness and transparency surrounding the Agencies’ work.

RUSI report - July 2015:

The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) reported in July 2015 - A Democratic Licence to operate.  The Review shows how a democracy can combine the high level of security the public have a right to expect and also ensure the respect for privacy and freedom of speech that are the foundations of a democracy. The panel unanimously calls on government, civil society and industry to accept its recommendations and work together to put them into practice.

Statements and articles:

4th November - Statements in Parliament

4th November - Intelligence and Security Committee Media Statement

The Guardian (5th November) took an early look at the Draft Bill - Mass Snopping and more: the measures in Theresa May's Bill



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