On 21 April, rights group Privacy International published previously confidential documents related to personal data collection in the UK. The documents had been made available to the group as part of a tribunal case that it is preparing. In one document, dated 22 April 2013, an official from GCHQ said there was no legal obligation for internet service providers (ISPs) and mobile phone companies (MSPs) to retain any customer information The group argues that the country’s intelligence agencies routinely obtain large datasets from public and private organisations, which cover everything from medical notes to commercial records. Privacy International suggests that this has been under way since 2001. Adding another layer of concern, the group argues that the information that is placed into classified databases is potentially at risk from hackers or malicious insiders.
On 21 April, rights group Privacy International published previously confidential documents related to personal data collection in the UK. The documents had been made available to the group as part of a tribunal case that it is preparing. Privacy International says that the bulk collection of data on all citizens extends far beyond internet and phone records. The group argues that the country’s intelligence agencies routinely obtain large datasets from public and private organisations, which cover everything from medical notes to commercial records. Privacy International suggests that this has been under way since 2001. Adding another layer of concern, the group argues that the information that is placed into classified databases is potentially at risk from hackers or malicious insiders.