Chutneytech | UK Technology News

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The decision to have a huge UK database of the details of all phone calls, emails and internet use could be ?step too far for the British way of life?, according to the Information Commissioner, Richard Thomas.

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Security minister Lord West responded to the warning, saying: “It is very early days as to where we go on this, but the switch from traditional phones meant the entirely new communication methods had to be assessed,? he said.

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Reports claim that a giant database is planned for the government?s proposed Communications Data Bill. This has led the Information Commissioner to call in his annual report this week for a full public debate first.

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Mr Thomas acknowledged that “targeted and duly authorised interception of communications by terrorists and other suspects could be invaluable”.

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But warned that, ?people must still stand up for their fundamental liberties and freedoms.?

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“Lines have to be drawn somewhere, and there should be a full democratic debate about where exactly the lines should be drawn. Do we really want the police, security services and other organs of the state to have access to more and more aspects of our private lives,” he added.

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There has been speculation that the government was considering collecting information ? including numbers dialled, websites visited and location of mobile phones being used ? for quite some time now, because the government has talked about “modifying procedures for acquiring communications data” in the Communications Data Bill.

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At the moment police and intelligence agencies can ask telecommunications providers for information on phone calls made, texts sent and internet sites visited. Providers can query the request, which could go to the interception commissioner and another watchdog ? but under new proposals, that right would be removed.

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Lord West also issued a warning about the general lack of privacy in using the internet. He said ISPs could already assess “information about the consumer’s internet use for the provision of value-added services”. ?

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“People must realise - and I used to say this within the Navy - there will be more people look at your internet information than look at a postcard when you write it,” he told the House of Lords. ?People tend to forget that - and [that] it is used for quite legal purposes, some of it,” he added

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