Daniel Anderson believes that
the current legal framework that taps into emails, phone calls and online
activity needs a major overhaul. But he called on the government to explain why
the authorities need more powers.
Anderson said that agencies are
the ones to carry out the bulk interception of information.
Meanwhile, the UK parliament is
debating how to protect privacy while guaranteeing security agencies have the
powers they need.
The issues have risen after
former NSA contractor Edward Snowden put forward the abusive data collection
activities of the organisation which jeopardises citizen privacy.
UK security chiefs point out
they face a significant capability gap caused by technological advances and Edward
Snowden’s revelation had furthered the gap for them.
UK’s GCHQ, the equivalent of
the NSA, called on Twitter and Facebook to allow security services to work with
them as their networks are highly important to militant groups.
Anderson pointed out that a “clean
state” was important. There needed an easy to understand and comprehensive law
that improves safeguards that judges instead of ministers will approve warrants
to allow access to the content of emails and other private citizen information.
But he backed that
organisations can collect data in bulk as it could help determine militant
attacks without jeopardising the privacy of the public.
