"1984" Author George Orwell's technophobia and
societal satire has finally come true -- in 2017.
The UK's Investigatory Powers Bill -- now the Investigatory
Powers "Act" -- will place all UK citizens under a heavy surveillance
routine. Every UK citizen is now effectively under government surveillance as
new powers to gather and retain data on citizens and new ways to use technology
companies' user database for government security causes are introduced.
The controversial bill -- also known as the "Snooper's
Charter" -- will allow the government to collect Internet Connection
Records. Intelligence agencies and police could then stop modern crime and
prosecute said individuals using information evidences.
According to Amnesty
International's Policy Director Bella Sankey, the UK is entering a "sad
day" as the bill was passed last month. She said she agreed with Prime
Minister Theresa May's approach to security for the UK but the measures are
invasive and "won't do the job."
Sankey said that the Act opens "every detail of every citizen's
online life up to state eyes" and can "drown authorities in
data."
Sankey urged a "campaign for a surveillance law fit for
the digital age" and must "continue to the courts." Despite
public resentment, the bill pushed through as MPs quietly passed the bill.
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