UK Lawmakers Approve 'most Sweeping' Surveillance Powers
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published November 19, 2016 | 01:10 PM
LONDON, , (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Nov, 2016 ) - The British parliament this week gave the green light to new bulk surveillance powers for police and intelligence services that critics have denounced as the most far-reaching of any western democracy.
The Investigatory Powers Bill would, among other measures, require websites to keep customers' browsing history for up to a year and allow law enforcement agencies to access them to help with investigations.
Edward Snowden, the former US National Security Agency contractor turned whistleblower, said the powers "went further than many autocracies". "The UK has just legalised the most extreme surveillance in the history of western democracy," he tweeted.
The bill, the first major update of British surveillance laws for 15 years, was passed by the House of Lords and now only needs rubber-stamping by Queen Elizabeth II. Prime Minister Theresa May introduced the bill in March when she was still interior minister, describing it as "world-leading" legislation intended to reflect the change in online communications.
It gives legal footing to existing but murky powers such as the hacking of computers and mobile phones, while introducing new safeguards such as the need for a judge to authorise interception warrants.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Pakistan requesting multi-billion-dollar loan programme from IMF: Finance Minist ..
Passing out parade of cadets at PMA Kakul
Govt bringing reforms in energy, revenue collection, SOEs: Aurangzeb
Pakistan, New Zealand to face off in 2nd T20I match at Rawalpindi today
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 20 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 20 April 2024
Tennis: ATP Barcelona Open results - 1st update
Swiatek's perfect 10 in Stuttgart as Vondrousova stuns Sabalenka
Arandu's roads closed due to flooding
Oil tanker catches fire in Islamabad’s Blue Area
Pakistan committed to ensure safety of foreign nationals: FO
Tennis: WTA Stuttgart results - 1st update
More Stories From World
-
Ambassador Hashmi speaks at 41st International Kite Festival in Weifang, Shandong province
2 minutes ago -
Verstappen takes pole for Chinese GP after sprint win
12 minutes ago -
Dominant Verstappen takes pole for Chinese GP after sprint victory
22 minutes ago -
Formula One: Chinese Grand Prix grid
22 minutes ago -
Two Mexican mayoral candidates reported killed in single day
1 hour ago -
SEU participates in international exhibition of inventions of Geneva
2 hours ago
-
China tests new freight train with heaviest load capacity
2 hours ago -
Swiss ballet group stages classics in Beijing
2 hours ago -
Turkish scientists study receive offers, including US, Canada, to maintain research, development stu ..
2 hours ago -
Chinese scientists develop new material for seawater desalination
2 hours ago -
China issues orange alert for rainstorms
3 hours ago -
Polyester staple fiber factory operational in Xinjiang
3 hours ago