David Cameron wants Google and Facebook to monitor terrorist threats
US internet companies need to hand over communications, warn security forces
The report into the death of Lee Rigby makes it clear that the British security services wants to force companies like Google, Facebook and Whatsapp to co-operate with investigations, but lack the legal tools to enforce requests.
David Cameron made it clear in the House of Commons that he is willing to consider new laws that will compel internet companies to disclose communications from potential terrorists.
Under existing legislation, British companies are obliged to provide the intelligence and law enforcement agencies with access to communications, if agencies suspect an individual is involved in terrorism.
However, this does not extend to US companies. The Rigby report goes into unusual detail about the problems facing intelligence services as they trawl for information, highlighting the legal restrictions faced by MI5 and GCHQ as they try to disrupt terrorism.
American companies have made it clear they would hand over information “in an emergency situation” involving risk of death or serious physical injury, but they will not cooperate with a fishing exercise. Complying with Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act – the main piece of legislation used to access communications in the UK – would actually leave American companies in breach of US laws.
US internet companies need to hand over communications, warn security forces
The report into the death of Lee Rigby makes it clear that the British security services wants to force companies like Google, Facebook and Whatsapp to co-operate with investigations, but lack the legal tools to enforce requests.
David Cameron made it clear in the House of Commons that he is willing to consider new laws that will compel internet companies to disclose communications from potential terrorists.
Under existing legislation, British companies are obliged to provide the intelligence and law enforcement agencies with access to communications, if agencies suspect an individual is involved in terrorism.
However, this does not extend to US companies. The Rigby report goes into unusual detail about the problems facing intelligence services as they trawl for information, highlighting the legal restrictions faced by MI5 and GCHQ as they try to disrupt terrorism.
American companies have made it clear they would hand over information “in an emergency situation” involving risk of death or serious physical injury, but they will not cooperate with a fishing exercise. Complying with Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act – the main piece of legislation used to access communications in the UK – would actually leave American companies in breach of US laws.
