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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.
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.
The UK masquerades as a democracy, and has for a long time. In reality it's the most hilariously over the top nanny state, The politicians there seem to make up laws for the sake of making up laws. I often wonder if this is just to give the illusion that a politician is doing something because fixing real problems is too hard.
BeauHD. Worst editor since kdawson.
Spying on MPs is bad, unless of course you want politicians to be blackmailed by spy agencies and entrenched political powers.
"If you aren't doing anything wrong, then you have nothing to worry about." -Us, parroting their own logic right back in their face.
The Prime Minister can still allow access to the browsing history of his political opponents, should there be a need for it.
You know a country that isn't?
We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
Because all the US gunowners have stepped up to fight the State in their never ending desire to track you more?
Where were the Gun owners after the the Patriot Act? Or the NSA leaks? Or any time a local sheriff forgets about the 4th amendment?
I don't think this achieves what the people proposing the amendment intend. They're being stupid.
Wikileaks will leak their browsing history once it will be captured as mandated by law.
I'm looking forward to perusing it.
Yeah, it's so much better when only the prime minister can obtain "blackmail-enabling information", because he, of course, would never abuse such information to pressure members of the opposition party! Oh, no, not the prime minister!
To quote the ministerial adviser from a well-known British poltical satire:
"Something must be done. This is something. Therefore, this must be done."
It perfectly achieves the goal of those who want the spying. Telling the ministers they are "exempt" from the spying is cheaper than bribing them to pass this law.
US, Canada, India, UK... I guess this golden era of democracy is over. Here comes another round of dictatorships, population control and whatnot. Quite the dark heritage we're leaving for future generations.
This is quite clever of the established ruling elite. Their data is exempt and will not be collected or retained. But people new to politics running against them are not covered by this until they win.
So anyone feeling challenged by a new player will now have an additional valuable tool in keeping their job.