FC: U.K. police "anti-terrorism" spy powers extend to minor crimes

From: Declan McCullagh (declanat_private)
Date: Wed Nov 07 2001 - 08:58:59 PST

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    http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,588958,00.html
    
       Police get sweeping access to net data
       Blunkett will not limit scope of measure to terrorist cases
    
       Stuart Millar, technology correspondent
       Wednesday November 7, 2001
       The Guardian
    
       Sweeping proposals to give law enforcement agencies access to the
       communications records of every UK telephone and internet user will
       not be restricted to anti-terrorist investigations, despite assurances
       to the contrary from the home secretary.
       
       The Guardian has established that the detailed communications data to
       be retained as part of the government's response to the September 11
       attacks will be available to police investigating minor crimes. It
       will also be available for tax collection and public health and safety
       purposes.
       
       Home Office officials involved in implementing the proposals in a
       voluntary code of practice with the providers have confirmed there are
       no plans to limit access to cases involving national security.
       
       This directly contradicts what appeared to be an assurance given by
       David Blunkett, the home secretary, two weeks ago in an attempt to
       soothe the fears of civil liberties campaigners about the privacy
       implications of blanket data retention.
    
       [...]
    
    
    
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