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Internet data plan back on political agenda Internet data plan back on political agenda
(about 2 hours later)
A law forcing firms to hand details to police identifying who was using a computer or mobile phone at a given time is to be outlined by Theresa May.A law forcing firms to hand details to police identifying who was using a computer or mobile phone at a given time is to be outlined by Theresa May.
The home secretary said the measure would improve national security.The home secretary said the measure would improve national security.
Under the Anti-Terrorism and Security Bill, providers would have to hold on to data linking devices to users.Under the Anti-Terrorism and Security Bill, providers would have to hold on to data linking devices to users.
But campaigners warned it could see the revival of the so-called "snoopers' charter" - a previous attempt to bring in wide-ranging web monitoring powers.But campaigners warned it could see the revival of the so-called "snoopers' charter" - a previous attempt to bring in wide-ranging web monitoring powers.
Cyber-bullies and terror suspects
The Home Office says the new measures would help police and security services identify:
The new measure, which is expected to be introduced to the Commons this week, would help police to identify suspects via a computer or mobile device's individual Internet Protocol (IP) address.The new measure, which is expected to be introduced to the Commons this week, would help police to identify suspects via a computer or mobile device's individual Internet Protocol (IP) address.
Each device has such an address, but they can change - such as when a modem is switched off and then on again - and are usually shared between different users.Each device has such an address, but they can change - such as when a modem is switched off and then on again - and are usually shared between different users.
Internet service providers currently have no business reason for keeping data on who has used each address, the Home Office said, meaning it is not always possible for police and security services to match individuals to internet use. Internet service providers currently have no business reason for holding data showing which IP address was allocated to a device at a given time, meaning it is not always possible for police and security services to match individuals to internet use, said the Home Office.
Cyber-bullies and terror suspects
The Home Office say the new measures would help police and security services identify:
Speaking to the BBC's Andrew Marr show, Mrs May said the new bill would help security services "deal with the increased threat that we now see".Speaking to the BBC's Andrew Marr show, Mrs May said the new bill would help security services "deal with the increased threat that we now see".
"This is a step but it doesn't go all the way to ensuring that we can identify all the people we will need to," she said."This is a step but it doesn't go all the way to ensuring that we can identify all the people we will need to," she said.
To "fully identify" everybody, she said police would need the power to access communication data, as was originally proposed in the Communication Data Bill. To "fully identify" everybody, she said police would need the power to access communication data, as previously proposed in the Communication Data Bill.
"It will still be the case, even with these IP addresses being within the legislation that the National Crime Agency... will still not be able to identify everybody who is accessing illegal content on the internet," she said. That bill - labelled a snooper's charter by critics - was scrapped following Lib Dem opposition.
The Liberal Democrats welcomed Mrs May's measures but ruled out agreeing to the "much wider and disproportionate proposals" previously mooted. It would would have forced companies to keep data about people's online conversations, social media activity, calls and texts for 12 months.
'Unnecessary and unworkable' Mrs May added: "It will still be the case, even with these IP addresses being within the legislation that the National Crime Agency... will still not be able to identify everybody who is accessing illegal content on the internet."
A spokesman said: "It is good news that the Home Office has finally got round to producing proposals on this after being repeatedly asked by [Deputy Prime Minister] Nick Clegg. These can now be agreed and acted on in the upcoming bill. The new measure, which is expected to be introduced to the Commons this week, would help police to identify suspects via a computer or mobile device's individual Internet Protocol (IP) address.
'Unworkable and disproportionate'
The Liberal Democrats welcomed Mrs May's announcement but ruled out agreeing to the "much wider and disproportionate proposals" previously mooted.
"This is exactly the kind of thing that we need to take action on, rather than proposing an unnecessary, unworkable and disproportionate snoopers' charter."This is exactly the kind of thing that we need to take action on, rather than proposing an unnecessary, unworkable and disproportionate snoopers' charter.
"There is absolutely no chance of that illiberal bill coming back under the coalition government - it's dead and buried.""There is absolutely no chance of that illiberal bill coming back under the coalition government - it's dead and buried."
The BBC's Simon Clemison said the latest announcement had again exposed the divisions between the coalition partners about privacy and security. But Conservative backbencher David Davis said the new measure was a "stepping stone back" to those proposals that would cause Mrs May "real trouble".
Last April a coalition split saw the Communications Data Bill - labelled a snoopers' charter by critics - scrapped. The former Tory leadership contender told Andrew Marr there was a "simple question" for the home secretary on how police and security services would use the proposed new powers.
That bill would have forced companies to keep data about people's online conversations, social media activity, calls and texts for 12 months.
But the Conservative MP and former leadership contender David Davis said the new measure was a "stepping stone back" to those proposals.
He told the BBC's Andrew Marr show there was a "simple question" for the home secretary on how police and security services would use the proposed new powers.
"Do you absolutely trust the people doing this never to make a mistake... never to misuse it?" he said."Do you absolutely trust the people doing this never to make a mistake... never to misuse it?" he said.
"If you do, let the judges decide when they can do it - don't let them decide whether they can do it themselves.""If you do, let the judges decide when they can do it - don't let them decide whether they can do it themselves."
Emma Carr, from privacy campaigners Big Brother Watch, said: "Before setting her sights on reviving the snooper's charter, the home secretary should address the fact that one of the biggest challenges facing the police is making use of the huge volume of data that is already available, including data from social media and internet companies."Emma Carr, from privacy campaigners Big Brother Watch, said: "Before setting her sights on reviving the snooper's charter, the home secretary should address the fact that one of the biggest challenges facing the police is making use of the huge volume of data that is already available, including data from social media and internet companies."