Theresa May, member of the UK Parliament, introduced a draft surveillance bill to mixed reviews on Wednesday. One of the most outspoken critics was former NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden, who tweeted that what he referred to as “#SnoopersCharter” is “the most intrusive and least accountable surveillance regime in the West.” Highlights of the draft bill include:
- Would require internet and phone companies to store records of websites visited by every citizen for 12 months
- Police and security services would not require a warrant to access to these records
- Local authorities would not have access to these records
- Ministerial approval of interception warrants plus a new panel of 7 judicial commissioners given veto power
- Would replace the existing system of 3 oversight commissioners with a single investigatory powers commissioner