Slashdot Mirror
UK Reconsiders Expansion of Surveillance Powers
davecl writes "BBC News Online is reporting that the plans to allow a vast range of bodies to access email and phone records have now been shelved. They seem to have been surprised by the depth and breadth of opposition. The measures may surface again after November in the new session of parliament, but they'll be taking it much more seriously then. Looks like we may have scored a notable success here, but continued vigilance will be needed."
"The government had cited the investigation of benefit fraud rings and pirate radio stations as two examples where the new powers would be used."
About time! Pirate radio stations has been a scourge to this country for too long I tell you, TOO LONG!
"Hello Farmer Bob"
"Goodmorning Pat"
"I've just been reading your email to check if you're a terrorist."
I think the House of Lords is the best part of our democracy. It may seem counterintuitive that an unelected body enjoys this accolade, but it's true.
The House of Lords is made up of an eccentric bunch of old codgers. But that's one of the reasons it works. They might be eccentric, but they hold a few things dear and one of those is civil rights. It might seem undemocratic to have a bunch of unelected old loonies as part of the decision making process, but their long sherry-enhanced afternoons napping and discussing the rights of the common man are actually beneficial to the democratic process. Of course, I don't think this kind of set-up would export very well. Other places don't have the quality of barmy old fogies that the UK has.
Slashdot is so frikking anglo-centric.