Interception Modernisation Programme.

A report by the LSE on the Interception Modernisation Programme which involves the surveillance of the communications activities of all UK citizens is summarised by finchannel:

# The proposals can only work if entirely new laws are passed by Parliament and if the public can be persuaded that the threats from terrorism and crime are so extensive as to justify ever greater levels of intrusion and expenditure.

# How was the quoted cost of £2bn reached, what is and what is not included in the cost estimates and from where are the costs to be met?

# Is it still feasible to distinguish between content and communications data?

# Who will actually control the 'DPI' (Deep Packet inspection) 'Black Boxes' to be installed at content service providers?

# We think that at a practical level the communications data/intercept distinction will be impossible to intercept both for ISPs and the courts. Moreover the existing balance of protections against abuse will also be lost.


'We are also concerned that the Home Office is characterising its aims as maintaining an interception capability when police powers and capabilities to watch the public have increased significantly over the last 15 years. We need a full debate about the balance between threats to public safety, police powers, the effectiveness of safeguards and cost.'

Sir Tim Berners-Lee states:

" deep packet inspection is the electronic equivalent of opening people's mail. This is very important to me, as what is at stake is the integrity of the internet as a communications medium, clearly we must not interfere with the internet, and we must not snoop on the internet."

After all he did invent the internet and bestowed it on the world for free!