For The UK's 'Snoopers' Charter', Politicians Voted Themselves An Exemption (independent.co.uk)

The "Snoopers' Charter" passed in the U.K. greatly expands the government's surveillance power. But before they'd enact the new Investigatory Powers Act, Britain's elected officials first voted to make themselves exempt from it. Sort of. An anonymous reader writes: While their internet browsing history will still be swept up, just like everyone else's, no one will ever be able to access it without specific approval from the Prime Minister. And according to The Independent, "That rule applies not only to members of the Westminster parliament but also politicians in the devolved assembly and members of the European Parliament."
The article adds that the exemption was the very first amendment they approved for the legislation. And for a very long time, the only amendment.

Comments

Re:No approval needed

[johannesg]

So how will the request filter know who is and is not an MP?

Simple. A special bit is dedicated for traffic from MPs: https://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc35...

Re:Surprising? Not so much.

[SuricouRaven]

To quote the ministerial adviser from a well-known British poltical satire:

"Something must be done. This is something. Therefore, this must be done."