Emergency phone and internet data retention law: “Hasty legislation has often proved to be badly flawed”
An emergency law to ensure police and security services can continue to access people's phone and internet records is expected to be approved at a special cabinet meeting later today.
The Data Retention and Investigation Powers Bill is backed by all main parties and needed to fight "criminals and terrorists", the Prime Minister, David Cameron says.
It comes after the European Court of Justice ruled against existing laws.
Dr Martyn Thomas from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), said: "In principle, the proposals are important for national security and law enforcement. It is essential that any intrusion into a citizen's private affairs is minimal, proportionate to the benefits to society as a whole, and properly controlled and supervised.
“Hasty legislation has often proved to be badly flawed. The Government has not yet published the detail of the proposed Bill, so it’s important to make sure that the draft Bill is examined and debated in detail before legislation is passed."
The IET highlights the Digital Economy Act 2010, which set out to address issues relating to copyright infringement, as an example of hastily introduced legislation which ultimately had little effect on curbing illegal file-sharing.
