checks on council spying powers do not go far enough
The Government has finally recognised people’s concerns about a creeping surveillance state by announcing checks on council spying powers. However, these changes do not go far enough.
The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act was supposed to help tackle terrorism and other serious crime, but has notoriously been used to by councils to spy on people for more minor matters such as dog-fouling, littering, and using disabled parking badges. Under the new guidelines, only council chief executives will be able to authorise covert surveillance operations, and a new code of practice should prevent the powers being used for minor matters.
Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Huhne said that the changes were an admission by the Government that surveillance had got out of hand. However, greater change is needed to put proper, effective safeguards in place.
“Tinkering with these surveillance powers is not enough. They should only be used to investigate serious crimes and must require a magistrate’s warrant if we are to roll back the surveillance state.”
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