A tribunal is hearing a legal challenge by civil liberty groups against the alleged use of mass surveillance programmes by UK intelligence services.
Privacy International and Liberty are among those challenging the legality of alleged “interception, collection and use of communications” by agencies.
It follows revelations by the former US intelligence analyst Edward Snowden about UK and US surveillance practices.
Read more on BBC.
The Law Society has issued a statement opposing emergency legislation being proposed. Kathleen Hall reports:
Emergency surveillance legislation being rushed through parliament next week could end up being used for purposes beyond which it is intended, the Law Society has warned.
The warning comes as MPs prepare to pass the Data Retention and Investigatory Powers Bill to require internet and phone companies to keep records of the time, date and place of their customers’ emails and calls.
Read more on Law Society Gazette.
Ewen MacAskill reports that Edward Snowden also has concerns about the proposed bill:
The whistleblower Edward Snowden has condemned the new surveillance bill being pushed through the UK’s parliament this week, expressing concern about the speed at which it is being done, lack of public debate, fear-mongering and what he described as increased powers of intrusion.
Read more on The Guardian.