UK spy head calls on Internet firms for strengthened security measures

Yesterday, domestic spy head Andrew Parker stated in a live media interview that Britain needs big technology companies to help security services fight terrorism and serious crimes. The UK government demands for tech firms to fabricate mechanisms that will enable them to see user information and continued access to user communication, tapping on their “ethical responsibility” to cooperate.

Reuters reported that Prime Minister David Cameron’s contemplates on crafting laws later this year, which will strengthen monitoring and security measures of government spies and the police. However, the proposition gains a strong opposition from sectors who defend privacy and human rights, claiming that such move would trample on their right to freedom. MI5 also pointed out that the online realm has been a channel for inspiring individuals with the IS ideology within weeks and not being able to track these kinds of communications will make it harder to prevent it.

Parker’s announcement comes at a time when the UK government’s currently working on recreating its surveillance legislation, Investigatory Powers Bill. The legislation pushes to patch the “capability gap” by giving all out online access to spies and the police. The bill is hinged on the growing issue of cyber terrorism and serious crimes, wherein the government is denied access to pieces of online evidence.

Parker told BBC in a live radio interview that the government needs to boost its surveillance powers as modern technology continues to improve. He emphasised on the fact that the threat of UK terrorism has been officially categorised as “severe” and the Middle East crisis has made it even harder.

Parker said, “It also requires the cooperation of the companies who run and provide services over the Internet that we all use,” accounted Sputnik News. He seeks to tap on the ethical responsibility of the technology firms, which hold gargantuan communications and data. The Investigatory Powers Bill is due to be discussed by the Members of the Parliament this autumn.

UK parliaments pass 'snooping' bill (Credit: YouTube/PressTV News Videos)

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