WISHART SEEKS GUARANTEES ON INTERNET SURVEILLANCE.

WISHART SEEKS GUARANTEES ON INTERNET SURVEILLANCE.

SNP Home Affairs spokesperson, Pete Wishart MP, is seeking assurances from the UK Government over plans which would require firms to record all internet contacts between people as part of changes to UK surveillance tactics.

While the home secretary has abandoned plans for a central database, the new system would track all e-mails, phone calls and internet use, including visits to social network sites. Reports put the cost of the scheme at more than £12 billion.

Mr Wishart said:

“Jacqui Smith’s turnaround on a central database is welcome, but we must have guarantees on these revised plans.

“We need absolute safeguards on data security to ensure that any information retained is not open to abuse.

“You would think, given the troubles Downing Street has had over the content of their own smear e-mails, Ministers would be rather more cautious about opening the in-box to the tracking of everyones e-mails, phone calls and internet use, including individuals visits to social network sites.

“On social network sites alone, we are talking about sites used by tens of millions of people which contain personal information such as religious and political beliefs, and sexual orientation.

“The cost of this scheme is simply breathtaking. Just as the UK Government is cutting investment in Scottish economic recovery, Labour Ministers seem determined to waste billions on ID cards and internet snooping.”