National security law

UK draft super-spy law 'not fit for purpose,' say 100s of senior lawyers

IPB An open letter signed by hundreds of senior lawyers and several high-profile QCs (Queen's Counsels) has criticized the UK's Conservative government for pushing a surveillance bill that is "not fit for purpose."

More than 200 lawyers, including several who have been closely involved in cases surrounding evidence from the security services, signed the letter, which argues that there need to be "significant revisions" to the draft Investigatory Powers Bill (IPB) – otherwise known as the Snooper's Charter – if it is to meet "international standards" for surveillance.

The letter states: "A law that gives public authorities generalized access to electronic communications contents compromises the essence of the fundamental right to privacy and may be illegal."

That statement is especially pertinent given the EU's recent "Privacy Shield" agreement with the United States that was developed following very similar concerns over mass surveillance.