BAD NEWS :( Government amendments reinforce Big Browser

[Donald Ramsbottom]

SNIPS
>
>Lord Bassam of Brighton: It has also been brought to my attention that
>these amendments have caused some concern in relation to the Internet,
>with 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." 
>
>-- 
>            Roland Perry | tel: +44 1733 207705 | roland@linx.org
>      Regulation Officer | fax: +44 1733 353929 | http://www.linx.net
>London Internet Exchange | mbl: +44 7050 604080 |       /contact/roland
>

So the email is safe (so we are told), but the HTTP clickstream is as this
noble Lord was previously reported as saying in Hansard. So they cannot read
your email withou warrant, but they can chase it's route and look at the
headers. 

So far a surfing is concerned they can look at the entire clickstream and
see where anybody has been and what they have requested to see, without warrant.

I am not sure about usenet requests, I have not seen these mentioned
anywhere, but it may be my ignorance of not realising they have been mentioned.

I also note the honourable Lord says he would not put certain intepretation
on the wording, it is difficult to see how he can do this when he has
clearly no idea what it is he has been talking about. He is just briefed to
say X,Y & Z. If what he says is true then why does he not amend the bill to
say what he means rather than what he says it means. Then we could all be
sure what the law was and and not have to rely on the noble Lord's word
(which I do not doubt for a moment). But I would prefer clarity in the
statute, it cuts out all those nasty bottom dwelling, blood sucking, pariahs
AKA "Lawyers" at a later date.



Donald Ramsbottom LL.B, BA (Hons).

RAMSBOTTOM & Co. Solicitors
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