Web monitoring powers mulled by home secretary Theresa May
Internet service providers (ISPs) could be forced by Police to hand over details which link IP addresses to individuals in a bid to help identify criminal suspects online.
Home secretary Theresa May said the move, which would fall under the Anti-Terrorism and Security Bill, would improve national security.
Currently ISPs have no business reason for keeping data on who has used each IP address, according to the Home Office, which leads to difficulty in matching individuals to their internet use.
“Loss of the capabilities on which we have always relied is the great danger we face,” May said in a statement published by The Guardian. “The bill provides the opportunity to resolve the very real problems that exist around IP resolution and is a step in the right direction towards bridging the overall communications data capability gap.
“But I believe we need to make further changes to the law.
“It is a matter of national security and we must keep on making the case for the communications data bill until we get the changes we need.”
Campaigners have voiced concerns about the move, which they argue could see the return of the communications data bill, dubbed the snooper’s charter, which was a previous attempt by the government to introduce web monitoring powers.
The new measure is expected to be introduced to the Commons this week.
The news follows an announcement from human rights group Amnesty International, which this week introduced a new tool to help journalists detect government surveillance.