[diggers350] CAMPAIGN TO STOP THE INTERNET LEGISLATION ANNOUNCED IN QUEEN'S SPEECH

[ian ferguson]

Subject: CAMPAIGN TO STOP THE INTERNET LEGISLATION ANNOUNCED  IN QUEEN'S 
SPEECH

PRESS RELEASE

17th November 1999
London, UK

No embargo

CAMPAIGN TO STOP THE INTERNET LEGISLATION ANNOUNCED IN QUEEN'S SPEECH

GreenNet, a specialist Internet Services Provider (ISP) for charities and
campaign groups, believes the new Internet legislation being proposed by the
government is a serious threat to civil rights.

It will give the security services sweeping powers to intercept Internet
communication and read private e-mail. E-mail 'tapping' will be allowed, and
it will be made easier for MI5, MI6, the police and customs to obtain
permission to do so.

We will be mobilising a range of pressure-groups and activists to mount the
strongest possible campaign to prevent these laws being passed.

The objections are to the Home Office's proposals to amend the Interception
of Communication Act 1985 and some sections of the Department of Trade &
Industry's Draft Electronic Communication Bill.

We object to:

- The fact that the changes have been secretly proposed by the FBI
  via ILETS (International Law Enforcement Seminar) in closed
  meetings, since 1993, with no accountabilty to parliaments -
  (see footnote)

- Users of encryption could face two years imprisonment
  for withholding a key -  with the onus on the accused to prove
  they don't have the key.

- The 'named individual' at an ISP who is ordered to place an
  intercept is liable to five years imprisonment for 'tipping-off'.
  This would include informing any third party about the intercept.

Of most concern to us is the fact that it is likely that police will share
information obtained in this country with other police forces worldwide.

The justification is partly to 'catch criminals' but in many parts of the
world, struggling for basic human rights is labelled criminal. Many overseas
activists are regarded as 'criminals' in their own countries.

A Greennet spokesperson, Andy Whitmore notes:

" As part of a global progressive communications network, the APC, we are
concerned that information passed on by British police under the act could
be used by repressive regimes to target our users who are struggling for
democratic rights."

In summary, given the number of Internet users who could be affected by the
civil rights and cost implications of the government proposals we expect a
large coalition of concerned activists will mobilise to oppose this flawed
legislation.

To receive further information on the campaign please e-mail:

ioca-campaign at gn.apc.org

Further information on web:
<http://www.gn.apc.org/activities/ioca/>http://www.gn.apc.org/activities/ioca/

For further information contact:

Andy Whitmore - 0171 713 1941 - karenb at gn.apc.org
Karen Banks - 0171 713 1941 - whit at gn.apc.org
=========

Footnote:

ILETS (International Law Enforcement Telecommunications Seminar) is a US-led
(and FBI funded) police and security organisation. The ILETS seminars
brought together police from 20 countries, who have been meeting regularly
for seven years. ILETS has had its plans adopted as EU policy
and enacted into, or being considered for, legislation in a growing number
of countries.

ILET's plan, Enfopol 19, was agreed by an EU police working party in March
and was proposed to EU Justice and Home Affairs ministers in May 1999. The
proposals include a requirement that all Internet and telecommunication
providers install monitoring equipment in their premises.


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