Communications Data Bill brings confusion and costs

Table of contents

• Original News
• What is your opinion of the Bill?
• What are the reasons the Bill has been criticised?
• What constitutes communications data?
• What costs are associated with the Bill?
• What is the effect on local government, police and ISPs?
• Will the Bill succeed where the previous government failed?

Article summary

The government has published the draft Communications Data Bill attracting criticism from both sides of parliament and accusations it is a 'snoopers’ charter'. If enacted, the Bill would mean all internet data including email, social networking, online gaming and internet phone calls would have to be stored for a year and accessible by police and intelligence agencies. Susan Hall, partner at Cobbetts and named as one of the country’s top IT lawyers by 'In Brief' magazine, says now the details of the Bill have been published , the earlier criticisms have proved all too valid.