UK PM Cameron pledges to reintroduce ‘snoopers charter’ if party reelected

Cameron said Sunday that there was a need to “modernize” current legislation by introducing measures such as demanding phone and internet companies to maintain records of people’s internet, email and mobile phone activity.
 
“I think we cannot allow modern forms of communication to be exempt from the ability… to be exempt from being listened to,” said Cameron, adding, “That is my very clear view and if I am Prime Minister after the next election I will make sure we legislate accordingly.”
 
The British prime minister made the remarks after participating in a mass unity march in the French capital, Paris, following recent deadly attacks in the city. A total of 17 people were killed in three days of violence in the French capital from Wednesday to Friday, including in an attack on the Paris offices of satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo.
 
Civil liberty campaigners responded to Cameron’s vow by cautioning against any attempts to use the terrorist attacks in Paris to give British security services’ more spying powers.
 
“It is wholly unacceptable for this tragedy in Paris to be used as a means to call for a return of the snooper’s charter,” said Emma Carr, the director of Big Brother Watch.
 
In addition, Labour leader Ed Miliband voiced his concerns over granting more powers and resources to security services, saying if the legislation would be extended, “Do we have the proper oversight to guarantee the liberties of free citizens?”
 
The Tory-led coalition government in the UK abandoned the introduction of the snooper’s charter - officially known as the Communications Data Bill - in April 2013 following concerns that it would infringe on privacy rights.
 
The charter, presented by Home Secretary Theresa May, would require internet firms to save records of every website visited and usage of social media by subscribers in the past 12 months.