In describing new powers now granted to England's police, Stuart Millar writes in the Guardian:
Sweeping proposals to give law enforcement agencies access to the communications records of every UK telephone and internet user will not be restricted to anti-terrorist investigations, despite assurances to the contrary from the home secretary. The Guardian has established that the detailed communications data to be retained as part of the government's response to the September 11 attacks will be available to police investigating minor crimes. It will also be available for tax collection and public health and safety purposes.
Home Office officials involved in implementing the proposals in a voluntary code of practice with the providers have confirmed there are no plans to limit access to cases involving national security. This directly contradicts what appeared to be an assurance given by David Blunkett, the home secretary, two weeks ago in an attempt to soothe the fears of civil liberties campaigners about the privacy implications of blanket data retention.
According to the Foundation for Information Policy Research, an independent internet think tank, data involved would provide a "complete map of an individual's life".
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