Is UK web snooping bill dead in the water?

Is this a victory for common sense? the bill that would have allowed the
Government to mandate storage of every website we visit and who we talk to via
Skype and the many other instant messenger applications appears to be over, if
what the deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg is saying is correct.

“What people have dubbed the snooper’s charter – I have to be clear with
you, that’s not going to happen.

In other words the idea that the government will pass a law which means
there will be a record kept of every website you visit, who you communicate
with on social media sites, that’s not going to happen.

It’s certainly not going to happen with Liberal Democrats in
government.”

Nick Clegg on Snooper’s Charter

Politics is full of these power plays, so while the bill appears to be dead
in its current form, it is possible that it may re-surface with changes that
make it paletable to the coalition. Of particular interest are some comments in
the Guardian coverage of the climb down, that suggest the Home Office has spent
£400m
developing the proposal.

“Industry are looking for clarity from Government that the draft bill will
not be brought forward in its current form.

This is an important and sensitive issue for industry and the wider internet
community and we have argued all along that there is a need to review law
enforcement’s powers in this area. However, as we have consistently maintained,
any new powers should be workable and proportionate. As was raised during the
draft bill’s scrutiny by the Joint Committee, we are yet to be convinced that
the current proposals for a bill will meet these requirements, in particular
the third party data retention requirements and the request filter.

We urge Government to reassess the current proposals and ensure, as
recommended by the Joint Committee, that industry and other stakeholders are
properly consulted in any future review of powers.”

ISPA Chairman Mark Gracey

The ISPA comment above may seem a little odd, but there is the possibility
that the Home Secretary Theresa May and the Home Office may continue to try and
push the bill through in its current form even at the risk of breaking the
coalition. Therefore seeking a full clarification to confirm this is not the
case is important.