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<p>The UK has one of the most transparent regimes in the world in relation to the
use of investigatory powers, which involve the accessing of personal data. The Interception
of Communications Commissioner provides robust, independent oversight of the use of
these investigatory powers and provides a published annual report to Parliament. This
report includes statistics on public authorities’ use of interception and communications
data powers, and his 2013 report contained more statistics than ever before. The Government
remains committed to looking at what more can be done to enhance the transparency
of our regime. The Data Retention and Investigatory Powers Act 2014, which was passed
in July, requires the Interception of Communications Commissioner to report on a twice
yearly basis in the future. In addition, the Act provides for a review of investigatory
powers to be conducted by the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, David
Anderson QC. This review will be completed by 1 May 2015 and its findings will be
reported to Parliament. The Government also announced, alongside the Act, the publication
of an annual Government Transparency Report on investigatory powers.<br><br>The Government
is fully committed to supporting a safe and secure online environment. That is why
it is crucial that our law enforcement and <br>intelligence agencies have strictly
regulated powers to ensure that those that would seek to do harm online, as well as
in the real world, cannot carry out their activities with impunity. There are limits
to what could be said publically about operational investigative techniques, as to
do so would potentially help criminals to evade detection. However, crucial capabilities
to access communications data are degrading because of rapidly changing technology
and the increasing use of internet communications, whether or not those communications
utilise encryption or anonymity techniques. Legislation is needed urgently to ensure
that public authorities have the powers they need to investigate crime, safeguard
national security and protect the public. We cannot allow cyberspace to become a haven
for criminals, terrorists and paedophiles.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>
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