CAMPAIGN TO STOP THE INTERNET LEGISLATION ANNOUNCED IN QUEEN'S SPEECH

CAMPAIGN TO STOP THE INTERNET LEGISLATION ANNOUNCED IN QUEEN'S SPEECH
new bill promises email tapping
from [email protected] 17th November 1999

GreenNet, a specialist Internet Services Provider (ISP) for charities and campaign groups, believes the new Internet legislation being proposed by the government is a serious threat to civil rights.

It will give the security services sweeping powers to intercept Internet communication and read private e-mail. E-mail 'tapping' will be allowed, and it will be made easier for MI5, MI6, the police and customs to obtain permission to do so.

We will be mobilising a range of pressure-groups and activists to mount the strongest possible campaign to prevent these laws being passed.

The objections are to the Home Office's proposals to amend the Interception of Communication Act 1985 and some sections of the Department of Trade & Industry's Draft Electronic Communication Bill.

We object to:

The fact that the changes have been secretly proposed by the FBI via ILETS (International Law Enforcement Seminar) in closed meetings, since 1993, with no accountabilty to parliaments - (see footnote)
Users of encryption could face two years imprisonment for withholding a key - with the onus on the accused to prove they don't have the key.
The 'named individual' at an ISP who is ordered to place an intercept is liable to five years imprisonment for 'tipping-off'. This would include informing any third party about the intercept.

Of most concern to us is the fact that it is likely that police will share information obtained in this country with other police forces worldwide.

The justification is partly to 'catch criminals' but in many parts of the world, struggling for basic human rights is labelled criminal. Many overseas activists are regarded as 'criminals' in their own countries.

A Greennet spokesperson, Andy Whitmore notes:

"As part of a global progressive communications network, the APC, we are concerned that information passed on by British police under the act could be used by repressive regimes to target our users who are struggling for democratic rights."

In summary, given the number of Internet users who could be affected by the civil rights and cost implications of the government proposals we expect a large coalition of concerned activists will mobilise to oppose this flawed legislation.

To receive further information on the campaign please e-mail:
[email protected]
Further information on web: http://www.gn.apc.org/activities/ioca/

For further information contact:
Andy Whitmore - 0171 713 1941 - [email protected] Karen Banks - 0171 713 1941 - [email protected] =========

Footnote:

ILETS (International Law Enforcement Telecommunications Seminar) is a US-led (and FBI funded) police and security organisation. The ILETS seminars brought together police from 20 countries, who have been meeting regularly for seven years. ILETS has had its plans adopted as EU policy and enacted into, or being considered for, legislation in a growing number of countries.

ILET's plan, Enfopol 19, was agreed by an EU police working party in March and was proposed to EU Justice and Home Affairs ministers in May 1999. The proposals include a requirement that all Internet and telecommunication providers install monitoring equipment in their premises.