If you’re as outraged as I am that the UK Coalition government is planning on spending £1.8B to spy on every click, IM, email and Facebook update, without a warrant under the Draft Communications Data Bill, then please consider visiting the Open Rights Group’s petition page where we’re gathering signatures to present to MPs. The Coalition is deeply divided on this issue, and there’s a very good chance we’ll be able to put paid to this proposal just as we did with Labour’s national ID scheme, but not without your help.
Yesterday the Government unveiled the ‘Communications Data Bill’. It’s a proposal for more powers to intercept and collect information about who you talk to online. Your communications via Google, Facebook or Skype would be open to what may be a large number of government officials.
You can help! Please email your MP and tell them why you want to see the powers to collect and access communications data tightened up, not extended ever further.
Don’t forget that ORG is running nationwide workshops to help you meet effectively with your MP to lobby them on this issue and on Internet censorship.
Snooper’s Charter: write to your MP
(Disclosure: I am proud to have co-founded the Open Rights Group and to volunteer on its advisory board)