Home Office endorsement for Cryptome

[Richard Clayton]

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Given the ire which has in the past been directed at John Young's
Cryptome site, it's nice to see the Home Office referencing it as the
canonical source of one of their own documents!

The tone of the rest of the answer is of course disappointing!

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<URL:http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200708/ldhansrd/text/805
20w0001.htm>

Written Answers

Tuesday 20 May 2008

Advertising: Internet

The Earl of Northesk asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether any official or Minister in the Home Office has offered written
or oral advice to any executive of the company Phorm as to the legality
of their targeted advertising software product; if so, what was the
advice; in what circumstances was it given; and what was the
justification for giving it. [HL3268]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord West of
Spithead): The Home Office was asked by a number of parties, including
Phorm's legal representative, for a view on the compatibility of
targeted advertising services with the Regulation of Investigatory
Powers Act 2000. It provided a guidance note for those parties.

The note is not, nor was it intended to be taken as, a definitive
statement or interpretation of the law, which only a court can give. Nor
was it intended for publication. However, a copy of that note has been
published at http://cryptome.org/ho-phorm.pdf.

Working to protect the public, the Home Office is keen to help industry
understand its legislative responsibilities, and to work with business
in order to achieve a workable balance between commercial interests and
public safety. In this way potential legal obligations can be taken into
account in the conception of new products and services.

- -- 
richard                                              Richard Clayton

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.         Benjamin Franklin

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