Mass surveillance

State surveillance: disturbing revelations

The finding by former chief justice John Murray that the State is operating a system of data-retention that amounts to mass surveillance of the entire population is extremely disturbing. His report published this week is a damning indictment of the Department of Justice for allowing a range of surveillance practices to develop that are in clear breach of European law. It is entirely unacceptable that this situation has arisen, and successive governments must be held accountable for allowing it to develop unchecked.

In his 190-page review of the data protection system, which was presented to the Government in April but only published on Tuesday, Murray is unequivocal in his finding that the current statutory framework breaches European law. The Communications (Retention of Data) Act, which was passed as recently as 2011, involves the retention and storage of historic data including fixed-line and mobile telephone, internet communication and text messages, and is being done without the consent of those affected.