What do you think about communications data collection and storage?

[Peter Fairbrother]

Watkin Simon wrote:
> We want your opinion on how public authorities should be allowed to 
> collect and store essential communications information in order to 
> prevent crime, and catch and prosecute criminals. 
> 
>  
> 
> We’ve launched a consultation that suggests new ways for phone companies 
> and internet service providers to collect and store data. The 
> information they collect helps us catch criminals, find missing people 
> and protect children from paedophiles.
> 
> The consultation, called ‘Protecting the public in a changing 
> communications environment’ aims to find the right balance between 
> privacy and security by suggesting ways to maintain our ability to 
> collect and store communications data. It explicitly rules out setting 
> up a single storage place for all communications data.

Err - Jacqui saying "there are absolutely no plans for a single central 
store", or the foreword saying "the Government [..] does not, therefore, 
intend to pursue this approach" isn't explicitly ruling anything out.

> Instead, it suggests that we legislate to allow communications service 
> providers (CSPs) to collect and keep information, 

Aren't they already allowed, indeed required, to do that?

including
> communications data from third parties, 

Can you give an example of this please? I think the devilmay be inthis 
bit ...


which might be needed by police
> and other public authorities. It also suggests that CSPs organise this 
> data, so that police, security services and other law enforcement 
> agencies can access the information they need more quickly and easily.

Or this bit - organise how?

>  
> 
> http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/news/communications-data-consultation


The download is worth it for, if nothing else, the caPItAlIsaTIOn on the 
"contents" page!

Must read the rest sometime ...


-- Peter Fairbrother


> 
>  
> 
> Simon Watkin
> 
> HOME OFFICE
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Then don't send it to a publicly archived mailing list!