Investigatory Powers Act 2016<\/h3>\n
According to the Home Office of the UK<\/a>, the main function of the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 is to maintain intelligence agencies’ current capabilities and keep the British public safe. Under digital age, the new bill will restore capabilities that have been lost as a result of changes in the way people communicate. Therefore, the government can have a more comprehensive monitor of people under the new bill.<\/p>\n In the Investigatory Powers Act 2016<\/a>, the internet and communications companies are required to retain customers\u2019 browser history and even the usage of apps for up to a year and government can access to these data. Also, the law reaffirms the ability of intelligence agencies such as MI5 to collect communications data from the public and to hack into a suspect\u2019s electronic devices. The new bill allows a judge r to sign off warrants for intrusive surveillance as well.<\/p>\n The U.K. has been pioneering government-imposed data retention. The Investigatory Powers Act 2016 may also set a model for other democratic countries to follow. For example, Brazil and Australia <\/a>are now discussing on the data retention laws. Critics worried that the new US president, Donald Trump will use the new bill as a reference to launch surveillance law as well.<\/p>\n If the Trump administration wants to expand its surveillance powers, or seek sanction for more aggressive use of its existing powers, it could unfortunately point to the U.K.\u2019s new law as precedent,<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Says Camilla Graham Wood<\/a>, Privacy International\u2019s legal officer.<\/p>\n As the new bill may serious invade the privacy life of every citizen, it caused fierce and intense against. A petition<\/a> requesting the UK government to halt the new law reached 200,000 signatures. However, The Petitions Committee decided not to debate this petition because it claimed that:<\/p>\n The Investigatory Powers Act dramatically increases transparency around the use of investigatory powers. It protects both privacy and security and underwent unprecedented scrutiny before becoming law.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Besides petition, many organisation opposing the new bill was formed such as \u2018Don\u2019t Spy On Us\u2019<\/a>. It is an organisation formed by varies of human right groups in the UK and Europe like Article 19 <\/em>and Big Brother Watch.<\/em> The organisation held different campaigns to express their opinion. For example, the organisation sent a briefing to all members of parliament after the parliamentary committees that scrutinised the Bill made 127 recommendations.<\/p>\n Many individuals also raised their opinions on the new bill. Edward Snowden, the whistleblower who leaked the mass surveillance project from the National Security Agency, tweeted:<\/p>\nFierce Opposition<\/h3>\n
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