Court to hear challenge to GCHQ bulk hacking of phones and computers – The Guardian

‘A challenge to GCHQ’s use of non-specific warrants to authorise the bulk hacking of smartphones, computers and networks in the UK is starting at the court of appeal.
The case, brought by the campaign group Privacy International (PI), is the latest twist in a protracted battle about both the legality of bulk surveillance and the primacy of civil courts over an intelligence tribunal that operates partly in secret.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 5th October 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

UK surveillance and spying watchdog begins work – The Guardian

Posted September 1st, 2017 in intelligence services, investigatory powers, news, warrants by sally

‘An expanded watchdog charged with regulating the intelligence services and surveillance by state agencies has officially begun work.’

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The Guardian, 1st September 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

Ex-MI5 chief warns against crackdown on encrypted messaging apps – The Guardian

Posted August 11th, 2017 in encryption, intelligence services, internet, news by tracey

‘A former head of MI5 has spoken out against curtailing use of encryption in messaging apps despite warning that Islamist terrorism will remain a threat for up to another 30 years.’

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The Guardian, 11th August 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

UK’s refusal to reveal legal advice on drone killings faces challenge – The Guardian

‘Campaigners appeal against ruling that government can keep advice secret because it relates to security agencies.’

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The Guardian, 20th July 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

EU judges may be asked to rule on legality of UK surveillance powers – The Guardian

‘EU judges may be asked to decide whether the intelligence services’ bulk collection of email data in order to prevent terrorist attacks is legal.’

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The Guardian, 5th June 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

May: I’ll rip up human rights laws that impede new terror legislation – The Guardian

‘Theresa May has declared she is prepared to rip up human rights laws to impose new restrictions on terror suspects, as she sought to gain control over the security agenda just 36 hours before the polls open.’

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The Guardian, 6th June 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

No ‘judicial consent’ needed for MI5 to quiz ‘ward of court’ teens, judge rules – Daily Telegraph

‘MI5 agents and anti-terror police have been given the go-ahead to question teenagers placed under the control of family court judges as a result of radicalisation fears.’

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Daily Telegraph, 5th May 2017

Source; www.telegraph.co.uk

Baroness Shields’ speech at the National Security Agency – Home Offcie

Posted April 24th, 2017 in intelligence services, internet, news, parliament, sex discrimination, women by tracey

‘Delivered to the fifth Annual Intelligence Community (IC) Women’s Summit.’

Full speech

Home Office, 21st April 2017

Source: www.gov.uk/home-office

Extremism in prisons to be tackled by specialist task force – BBC News

‘A specialist team of counter-terrorism experts aimed at tackling extremism in prisons is being launched on Monday.’

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BBC News, 2nd April 2017

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

WhatsApp must be accessible to authorities, says Amber Rudd – The Guardian

‘Amber Rudd has called for the police and intelligence agencies to be given access to WhatsApp and other encrypted messaging services to thwart future terror attacks, prompting opposition politicians and civil liberties groups to say her demand was unrealistic and disproportionate.’

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The Guardian, 26th March 2017

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Whistleblowers endangered in digital age, says lawyers’ report – The Guardian

‘Whistleblowers need better legal protection because they are far easier to identify in the digital era and successive laws have undermined their status, according to a report by media lawyers.’

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The Guardian, 22nd February 2017

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Libyan wins right to sue ex-Foreign Secretary Jack Straw – BBC News

‘Ex-Foreign Secretary Jack Straw faces being sued over allegations of abduction and torture brought by a former Libyan dissident.’

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BBC News, 17th January 2017

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

EU’s highest court delivers blow to UK snooper’s charter – The Guardian

‘“General and indiscriminate retention” of emails and electronic communications by governments is illegal, the EU’s highest court has ruled, in a judgment that could trigger challenges against the UK’s new Investigatory Powers Act – the so-called snooper’s charter.’

Full story

The Guardian, 21st December 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

The ‘snooper’s charter’ is a threat to academic freedom – The Guardian

Posted December 2nd, 2016 in intelligence services, internet, investigatory powers, news, universities by sally

‘Increasing online surveillance has serious implications for researchers and study participants. Academics need to be more careful than ever.’

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The Guardian, 1st December 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

UK surveillance laws reformed in new Investigatory Powers Act – OUT-LAW.com

‘UK surveillance laws have been updated with the enactment of the new Investigatory Powers Act.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 30th November 2016

Source: www.out-law.com

Investigatory Powers Bill receives Royal Assent – Home Office

Posted November 30th, 2016 in bills, intelligence services, internet, investigatory powers, press releases, privacy by tracey

‘A landmark bill which sets out and governs the powers available to the police, security and intelligence agencies to gather and access electronic communications has received Royal Assent.’

Full press release

Home Office, 29th November 2016

Source: www.gov.uk/home-office

Investigatory Powers Bill officially passes into law, giving Britain the ‘most extreme spying powers ever se en’ – The Independent

Posted November 30th, 2016 in bills, intelligence services, internet, investigatory powers, news, privacy by tracey

‘Britain’s intelligence services have officially been given the “most extreme spying powers ever seen”. The Investigatory Powers Act has now been given royal assent, meaning that those surveillance rules will pass into law. The bill was officially unveiled a year ago and passed through the House of Lords earlier this month, but the act of being signed off means that those powers now go into effect.’

Full story

The Independent, 29th November 2016

Source: www.independent.co.uk

UK government right to refuse release of secret documents – high court – The Guardian

Posted November 24th, 2016 in closed material, disclosure, documents, intelligence services, news, poisoning by tracey

‘The government can keep secret “super-sensitive” documents from Britain’s spy agencies that might shed light on the mystery death of a fugitive Russian, the high court has ruled.’

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The Guardian, 23rd November 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Parliament notified of Europol opt-in intention – Home Office

Posted November 15th, 2016 in EC law, intelligence services, parliament, police, press releases, regulations, treaties by tracey

‘Explanatory memorandum on intention to exercise right to opt into revised Europol framework published.’

Full press release

Home Office, 14th November 2016

Source: www.gov.uk/home-office

Counter-terrorism overseas: Adebolajo report makes uncomfortable reading for MI6 – Marina Wheeler QC – UK Human Rights Blog

Posted November 14th, 2016 in intelligence services, news, terrorism by tracey

‘Oversight of the Intelligence Services is a matter of enormous public importance, as counter-terrorism powers are enhanced to combat a pernicious and persistent threat. A recent Report by the Intelligence Services Commissioner, Sir Mark Waller, assisted by Oliver Sanders of these Chambers, dispels some misconceptions about contact between the intelligence services and Michael Adebolajo, one of 2 men convicted of murdering Fusilier Lee Rigby[1]. It also shines a light on how HMG applies its policy on the treatment of detainees held overseas – in Adebolajo’s case, by a Kenyan partner counter-terrorism unit in 2010. Not all of the Report’s findings make comfortable reading for the Intelligence Services.’

Full story

UK Human Rights Blog, 14th November 2016

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com