The British government is ‘expanding and developing’ its plans to surveil the online activities – including the browsing histories – of millions.
Under the new program, internet connection records (ICRs) can be collected against anyone and that information stored for up to 12 months by internet and phone providers if the government demands.
ICRs “contain information on all sites visited or apps accessed by a user, as well as details of the device used and the time and date of the visit.”
According to Wired, official documents and reports over the past year have judged the initial testing phases of the program a success, and authorities are now considering a national rollout.
Earlier this year, a Home Office review on the operation of the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 reported that UK’s National Crime Agency found a “significant operational benefit” by collecting ICRs as they assisted in tracking a number of people illegally entering sites with child pornography.
“The possible expansion of ICR collection in the UK comes as governments and law enforcement agencies globally try to gain access to increasing amounts of data, particularly as technology advances.”
The UK government was provided with these powers by the Investigative Powers Act (2016), also known as the “Snoopers’ Charter,” which gave public authorities access to ICRs for the first time.
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