The coalition’s broken promises audit: All the best bits
The Politics.co.uk web site has been examining the veracity of the coalition’s audit:
Promise: Snoopers’ charter
Original promise: We will end the storage of internet and email records without good reason.
What it says: We have published proposals in the draft Communications Data Bill, to provide clarity over what types of personal data are required to be stored by communications and internet service providers for security and law-enforcement purposes, as well as strengthen safeguards around the acquisition, retention and use of such data.
What really happened: The coalition went against all its privacy principles by trying to store electronic and phone communication information at the point of the internet service provider. While the content of the emails and calls allegedly won’t be recorded, information about the time and people involved in the communication will. This massive increase in state snooping powers relies on them not checking the content of the message – because most experts believe it is impossible to track information about the communication without also recording the content. the overnment says the measure is to stop terrorists and criminals using Facebook and other social media sites to communicate. Opponents say it is an intolerable intrusion on British privacy. It marked the turning point of the Home Office’s newfound commitment to civil liberties.
Broken promise status: HIGH
