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“Never let a good crisis go to waste,” is a saying most often attributed to Winston Churchill, but he was far from the first person in a position of political power to consider this motto; he won't be the last either. David Cameron has announced that following the attacks in France just a few days ago, that Britain should reconsider the plan for the draft Investigatory Powers Bill announced last week.
The bill, named by many as a successor to the Theresa May backed “Snooper's Charter” – which was shot down in 2013 – would force internet service providers to store the browser history of their customers for up to 12 months. It was initially set to be debated in both houses of parliament next year, with a plan to potentially bring it into law in 2017.
However following last week's attacks, the British Prime minister now believes we should “look at the timetable,” of the possible legislation and perhaps bring it forward.
Image source: Wikimedia
His statement was backed up by several other MPs who also called for a quicker look at the legislation, which defenders claim would make it easier for the police and intelligence agencies to crack down on organised crime and terrorist actions. Detractors however claim that it does not have enough safeguards in place to prevent abuse, and that serious criminals do not use general web browsing, without obfuscation, to communicate with one another.
As a further measure to help prevent any such attacks taking place in the UK, Cameron also announced that the budget for British intelligence would be expanded, allowing for the hiring of 1,900 new agents who would be deployed within MI5, MI6 and GCHQ to expand current spying operations, as per Wired.
KitGuru Says: It does seem a little ridiculous to suggest that attacks similar to the ones in France could be prevented if GCHQ could look through the browser history of everyone in the UK. Security is so important, but we have to be incredibly careful in the wake of emotional attacks like the one last week, as it creates a reactionary atmosphere that can send us down a road that will very hard to retread.
I’m always impressed how governments manage to misuse terrorism to limit people’s privacy. But every time there is a mass shooting in the US, the same type of people who want to ruin your privacy because it saves lives – i.e. conservatives – will get pissed if you talk about gun control, because then we would be making legislation based on emotion and taking advantage of the situation.
There is no evidence that snooping would have prevented attacks like the ones in Paris (or Madrid, or London, or on 9/11). So why the hell would we want Big Brother to watch every step we take and every move we make? They would most likely still be missing the terrorists.
Because terrorists are tooootally going to accidentally let slip their planning from their browser history. It’s not like the dark web or Tor exists or anything
“Fast-track” = bypass democracy
Paris attacks are just an excuse for the EU/US to take more liberty from us all. The French were warned of an attack on Paris a full 24hrs beforehand. The EUUS will now use it as an excuse to lay down more laws.
A perfect example of politicians trying to do something the majority of voters do not want…
That would imply there was any democracy in the first place other than being able to choose the face of dictatorship
Of course ! that’s exactly why the Paris attacks have played out the way they have. And i’m sure plenty of other nations will ‘up’ the security to bypass democracy or any kind of vote.
Snooping already occurs, and the only evidence has come from officials in Baghdad. So NO snooping serves no purpose but for authorities to eliminate any competition. Effing SICK and Effing SAD but that’s where our attitude for ‘let it be’ has got us.
I.E. its not effing terrorists doing the harm it’s our governments. What did ISIS say at the start?? it’s in retaliation for the bombings ! STOP following the fucking U.S and grow a pair, E.U. keep your fucking nose OUT for a change,don’t blindly follow the U.S! .
Well said bombing people does not settle differences either it just pisses them off even more.
It was him and Holland who armed Rebels in Egypt in order to take down Khadafi and today those same rebels are ISIS
So does that mean that the EU is going to understand a bit more why the US let the NSA and Homeland Security keep any eye on persons of interest? It sounds like the French lassez-faire attitude did them a whole lot of good of preventing this series of attacks.
Do they think these people communicate via yahoo mail? yahoo web messenger? no wait paltalk express….
Keeping browser history for 1 year is pointless and who and how it is decided which persons activity is looked at? What makes person A more interesting from person B, and how was that information obtained to begin with?
This system will be abused beyond belief and turn it into a ‘you can’t freely express yourself’ in any way shape or form due to maybe getting a knock at your door. Will Camerons history be investigated like anyone elses if needs be? HIGHLY doubt it…