UK: Your private messages revealed to government in new plans

By Rich Trenholm
CNET UK
Feb. 23, 2012

Broadband providers and phone networks are to reveal to authorities your every phone call, text message, email and private social network message. New anti-terror laws could force phone networks and broadband providers to store our digital communications in databases open to security services to check up on us -- and if that doesn't worry you, just wait until the hackers get their hands on it.

The Communications Capabilities Development Plan sets out the new scheme, as suggested by MI5, MI6, and GCHQ. The government won't store the data itself, instead requiring Internet service providers and phone networks such as BT, Sky, and O2 to store the information for a year.

Anti-terror police and spies could then see the information to see who you've been talking to. Actual phone calls and texts won't be recorded but details of who called or texted who -- and when and where -- will be saved.

Your emails and private messages sent through Facebook and Twitter will be saved, as well as your internet browsing history or exchanges between online video gamers.

Privacy groups including the Open Rights Group have lambasted the new plans.

The Telegraph reports that the government has been holding talks with ISPs for the last two months, ahead of legislation this summer. New laws could be officially unveiled as soon as May.

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