Following Woolwich attack Theresa May signal revival of Communications Data Act and action to remove extremist messages online
The terrorist attack in Woolwich seems to have reignited the Conservative Party’s desire to introduce the controversial Communications Data Act which they claim could have helped prevent the situation, offering the Intelligence Services the ability to intercept electronic communications sent by the public.
The Act, nicknamed ‘the Snooper’s Charter’ was discussed by Home Secretary Theresa May while appearing on the BBC’s The Andrew Marr Show yesterday, claiming that it was “essential” that the Intelligence Services be allowed to monitor communications data in an effort to combat terrorist plots.
Said May: "There is a reducing capability in relation to access to communications data and as far as I'm concerned I think this is a very important thing we need to ensure we are giving our law enforcement agencies and intelligence agencies access to the tools that they need to fight crime, paedophiles and terrorists."
May also warned that thousands of people were in danger of being radicalised and said that she intends to tighten internet regulation that would allow for action to be taken to ensure that extremist views and messages preaching Jihad would be moved from online.
“One of the issues we need to look at is whether we have got the right processes, the right rules in place in relation to what is being beamed into people's homes,” she added.
She revealed that these issues were part of the work being taken up by a taskforce being set up by Prime Minister David Cameron.
The introduction of the Communications Data Bill failed earlier this year when Liberal Democrat Leader and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg opposed it.