On Monday I had the opportunity to question Theresa May regarding the Investigatory Powers Bill, more commonly known as the Snooper's Charter.
Amongst the numerous issues with the bill is the matter of the mass data collection which it entails. While I accept that law enforcement and security services need appropriate access to the information they require, I feel that the mass data collection by communications companies which the bill requires is an unnecessary infringement on individual privacy, and is not aligned with the civil liberties to which we are entitled.
Along with this infringement on privacy, the cost of complying with the requirements for communications companies as set out by the Snooper's Charter is potentially cripplingly high. Both those in the sector as well as the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee have warned that the bill could "undermine" the sector.
While the Home Secretary stated that the Government would provide communications companies with "full cost recovery [for] operational costs" incurred in complying with the bill, there remains substantial uncertainty regarding the cost of compliance. In particular, the definition of "internet connection records", which companies would be required to collect for every customer, remains unclear, making it difficult for businesses to estimate the cost of complying with the draft bill.
The technology sector is critical to a growing economy in this digital age. It is completely unacceptable to see it hindered by this Tory government requiring technology companies to infringe upon our privacy and civil liberties.
The question can be viewed below:
