Striking the Balance

[David_Biggins@usermgmt.com]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Watkin Simon [mailto:Simon.Watkin@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk]
> Sent: 30 October 2002 13:23
> To: 'ukcrypto@chiark.greenend.org.uk'
> Subject: RE: Striking the Balance
> 
> 
> For information of use to terrorism see section 58, Terrorism 
> Act 2000:
> http://www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/00011--g.htm#58
> 
> The legislation is intended to capture those who collate 
> information about potential terrorist targets.

But, in typical style, it is worded in blanket terms.  Those of us
engaged in various aspects of IT security would surely be regarded as
having information likely to be of use to terrorists...   And have to
prove our innocence.   Using the defence available.

Fine.  How long will that take, what inconvenience will we suffer in the
meantime, how much business could we lose if the police seized our
computers to search for more such "evidence"....   Just because the law
offers a defence, does not mean that it offers adequate safety against
wrongful or mistaken accusation.

This Bill, like so much that has passed recently, is something I
profoundly distrust, because it grossly breaks the balance between the
need for security measures and the rights of the individual - as
drafted.

I may well accept that its intentions were narrower,  but in that case
the HO has just GOT to stop drafting legislation with narrow objectives
in such a broad fashion.

## dave ##