Monday 18 May 2015

British Government Gives Secret Service Hacking Powers


The British government has quietly changed the law so that the intelligence agency GCHQ can not be indicted for hacking. That leaves privacy organization Privacy International know. The organization was told this is a day for a hearing on the illegal hacking practices of GCHQ.

On March 3, there appears to be a change in the law to be implemented which intelligence can not be prosecuted for illegal hacking operations. In early May last year had Privacy International along with seven Internet providers, including tabled the Dutch Green Host a complaint against the GCHQ. The hacking practices of the intelligence service would be incompatible with the British computer law, which prohibits hacking. There would also be no legal authority to approve the hacking practices of GCHQ well.

In June last year the British government quietly introduced legislation that intelligence can not be held liable for hacking. This, according to Privacy International does not just affect the charges, but offers British investigators even the ability to carry out cyber attacks within Britain. The accompanying text would also not mentioned the impact of the adjustment. It would also regulators and other parties about the amendment have been informed or consulted. The bill was finally adopted on 3 March this year and has been in effect since May 3.

Privacy International notes that it is not the first time that the British government because of the indictment carries quietly amendments to the law. Thus was prepared in February for a "Code of Practice" which British intelligence gives the power to hack into goals, even though they are not a threat to national security or are not suspected of a crime.

"The underhand and undemocratic way in which the government hacking operations GCHQ attempts to legalize is outrageous," said Eric King, deputy director of Privacy International. He notes that hacking one of the most penetrating surveillance capabilities, and its use must be surrounded by all sorts of guarantees.

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