UK Prime Minister David Cameron recently spoke out in support of enacting legislation that will enable the country’s security services to gain access to communications held through internet platforms, The Independent reported. A previous attempt to pass a communications data bill was blocked, adds the report. There has been a steady increase in the popularity of encrypted communications services, and companies like Apple, Inc. have recently introduced encryption that is impossible for them to undo, even if presented with a warrant, according to the article. In November 2014, Robert Hannigan, the director of the UK’s GCHQ, raised concerns that terrorist organizations may be using these services to communicate while avoiding detection, and advocated for additional surveillance capabilities for the security services.
In October 2014, FBI Director James Comey raised similar concerns, and suggested that Congress enact legislation that will require technology companies to build “backdoors” into their devices. There is already a law requiring telephone companies in the U.S. to build “backdoors” into their networks. This gives law enforcement access to wire and electronic communications carried through those networks pursuant to a court order or other lawful authorization. However, the law, commonly referred to as the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act or CALEA, has not been updated since it was passed in 1994. It also does not apply to communications platforms online. Updating CALEA to extend its reach to technology companies would require these companies to provide law enforcement with access to information that telephone companies are already providing, according to Homeland Security News Wire.
In the wake of Cameron’s announcement, his party has indicated that it will revive a previously blocked communications data bill, reports Business Insider. Cameron’s announcement has already received much criticism from civil liberties organizations accusing him of using the recent attacks on Charlie Hebdo in France to gain support for extending government surveillance capabilities. However, the previously blocked bill would have only required phone and internet companies to keep records of users’ internet, email and cell phone activity, reports The Independent. This type of data is usually considered non-content information. Because the actual content contained in the calls and messages are not being recorded, the risk of infringing on the civil liberties of citizens should be less of a concern.
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