BAD NEWS :( Government amendments reinforce Big Browser

[Richard D G Cox]

Roland Perry <roland@linx.net> quoted Lord Bassam of Brighton:

> one interpretation being that they would allow the content of e-mail
> communications to be treated as communications data and therefore allow
> interception of e-mail communications to take place without the need for
> a warrant authorised by the Secretary of State. Although I do not agree
> that this is a valid interpretation of the wording, I want to place on
> the record that this is not the intention--I repeat the word "not"--of
> these amendments and that the Bill will require Secretary of State
> warranting for the interception of e-mail communications. I offer my
> assurance that the code of practice will clearly spell that out so that
> there can be no misunderstanding on that issue."

Pepper or no Pepper, the code of practice will not be written in tablets 
of stone.  It can (and doubtless will be) amended: there lies the problem.

-- 
Richard D G Cox

Mandarin Technology, Penarth - Phone (029) 2031 1131, Fax  (029) 2031 1110
Please note that our telephone system does NOT now accept anonymous calls.