"The UK government thinks the 2016 Investigatory Powers Act is due for an overhaul. But it has plenty of opposition. Some of the proposed amendments actually appear to be illegal. And at least one major tech company has threatened to exit the market if the proposed amendments become law."
"According to this fact sheet, service providers will now be required to retain certain internet browsing records created by their users."
"The proposed changes would also expand the definition of bulk personal datasets (BPDs) to cover data collected by third parties, like data brokers. And, while this isn’t technically a “new” power it is definitely an expansion of the government’s existing power"
"The bill would also increase the duration of a BPD warrant from six to twelve months"
"“Greater operational agility” is just a fancy way of saying “make things easier.” When you start altering the rules to increase law enforcement efficiency, you tend to turn protected rights into privileges that only need to be respected when they’re not inconveniencing law enforcement.
None of this is law. Yet. But it’s clear those heading the government firmly believe this is the right way to go."
