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Surveillance powers: New law needed, says terror watchdog Surveillance powers: New law needed, says terror watchdog
(35 minutes later)
A new "comprehensive" law is needed to cover security services' powers to monitor online activity, the UK's terror watchdog has said in a report. Clear new laws are needed to cover security services' powers to monitor online activity, the UK's terror watchdog has said.
David Anderson QC, the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, said a "clean slate" was needed in the approach to intrusive powers used by authorities to combat serious crime. David Anderson QC, the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, said the UK needs "comprehensive and comprehensible" intrusive powers rules.
The current framework was "fragmented" and "obscure", he said. Existing legislation was "fragmented" and "obscure", he said in a 300-page report.
The 300-page report was commissioned by the government last year. Ministers want new laws to help police and agencies monitor online threats.
The report, titled A Question Of Trust, recommended that: But critics have dubbed the plans a "snooper's charter" because they predict it will infringe privacy.
Home Secretary Theresa May said the report provided a firm basis for consultation on the new legislation which would come in the Autumn.
Mr Anderson's report, called A Question Of Trust, was commissioned by the prime minister as part of the government's plans to modernise what types of activity security agencies can capture in their pursuit of criminals and terrorists.
The current legislation pre-dates most internet-led communications such as apps and social media.
The report recommends that:
Investigatory powers explained
Mr Anderson said: "Modern communications can be used by the unscrupulous for purposes ranging from cyber-attack, terrorism and espionage to fraud, kidnap and child sexual exploitation.Mr Anderson said: "Modern communications can be used by the unscrupulous for purposes ranging from cyber-attack, terrorism and espionage to fraud, kidnap and child sexual exploitation.
"A successful response to these threats depends on entrusting public bodies with the powers they need to identify and follow suspects in a borderless online world. But trust requires verification.""A successful response to these threats depends on entrusting public bodies with the powers they need to identify and follow suspects in a borderless online world. But trust requires verification."
He went on: "Each intrusive power must be shown to be necessary, clearly spelled out in law, limited in accordance with international human rights standards and subject to demanding and visible safeguards.
"The current law is fragmented, obscure, under constant challenge and variable in the protections that it affords the innocent. It is time for a clean slate. This report aims to help Parliament achieve a world-class framework for the regulation of these strong and vital powers."