Communications Data Bill
Encyclopedia
The Communications Data Bill includes plans in the United Kingdom
to collect data on people's phone, e-mail and web-browsing habits for mass surveillance
. The government database
would include telephone numbers dialed, the websites visited and addresses to which e-mails are sent but not the text of e-mails or recorded telephone conversations. Since October of 2007 telecommunication companies have been required to keep records of phone calls and text messages for twelve months. The bill would extend the coverage to Internet website visited, email messages, and VOIP data. Chris Huhne
, Liberal Democrat Home affairs spokesman said: "The government's Orwellian
plans for a vast database of our private communications are deeply worrying."
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
to collect data on people's phone, e-mail and web-browsing habits for mass surveillance
Mass surveillance
Mass surveillance is the pervasive surveillance of an entire population, or a substantial fraction thereof.Modern governments today commonly perform mass surveillance of their citizens, explaining that they believe that it is necessary to protect them from dangerous groups such as terrorists,...
. The government database
Government database
Government databases collect personal information for various reasons .-Canada:...
would include telephone numbers dialed, the websites visited and addresses to which e-mails are sent but not the text of e-mails or recorded telephone conversations. Since October of 2007 telecommunication companies have been required to keep records of phone calls and text messages for twelve months. The bill would extend the coverage to Internet website visited, email messages, and VOIP data. Chris Huhne
Chris Huhne
Christopher Murray Paul-Huhne, generally known as Chris Huhne is a British politician and cabinet minister, who is the current Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for the Eastleigh constituency in Hampshire...
, Liberal Democrat Home affairs spokesman said: "The government's Orwellian
Orwellian
"Orwellian" describes the situation, idea, or societal condition that George Orwell identified as being destructive to the welfare of a free society...
plans for a vast database of our private communications are deeply worrying."