FITUG e.V.
Förderverein Informationstechnik und Gesellschaft
FITUG e.V.Förderverein Informationstechnik und Gesellschaft |
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http://www.ananova.com/news/story/technology_rip-bill-uk-politics_24772.html
Changes fail to convince civil liberties groups over cyber surveillance bill
Opponents of the Government's controversial Regulation of Investigatory Powers (RIP) Bill say they are unmoved by amendments passed in the House of Lords.
The two new clauses address the major sticking point, namely concerns that the proposed legislation reverses the usual safeguards concerning the burden of
proof.
Under the changes confirmed earlier this week, prosecuting lawyers must now show - beyond a reasonable doubt - that an individual is deliberately withholding the key to an encrypted e-mail or computer file.
In commercial cases, law enforcers must serve decryption notices on company directors unless they can show that there is a compelling reason not to do so.
This addresses concerns raised earlier in the month by the British Chambers of Commerce, who predicted that the legislation could persuade many businesse
to move away from the UK, fearful of misapplied government scrutiny.
The Foundation for Information Policy Research - an independent pressure group that has consistently challenged the Bill since it was introduced to the House of Commons in February - remains unconvinced by the changes.
It says that although people who forget their passwords are now assured a fair trial, important human rights issues remain, particularly concerning the
requirement for suspects to incriminate themselves by handing over encryption keys.
This is also the view of Yaman Akdeniz, the founder of the Leeds- based civil liberties group Cyber Rights and Cyber Liberties.
In an open letter the House of Lords he writes: "We see nothing in the Government's amendments that changes our fundamental objection to the introduction of GAK (Government Access to Keys) powers.
"It simply makes no sense to seriously curtail the rights of all honest personal and business users of the internet while achieving nothing of significant value in the fight against criminal misuse."