UK Government Told to Revise Spy Law
- Bill shouldn't disadvantage British business, committee says
- More clarity needed on requirements, costs of proposed rules
A general view of a CCTV camera in London. The U.K. is to beef up its security services with an extra 1,900 intelligence officers as David Cameron’s government adapts to the prospect of a long fight against terrorism.
Photographer: Dan Kitwood/Getty ImagesThe U.K. government should revise a proposed spying law so it doesn’t hurt British businesses, a Parliamentary committee reviewing the legislation said.
The committee, one of at least four parliamentary bodies scrutinizing the surveillance legislation, echoed concerns raised by major technology and telecommunication companies. In written comments to Parliament, Apple Inc., Vodafone Group Plc and others have said the law under consideration would force them to become enablers of mass government monitoring, undermine customers’ trust in their brands and impose excessive costs and administrative burdens.