Tag archive: Jacqui Smith

First the UK government proposed a giant database that recorded all contacts on the Internet and by phone. Now they’ve abandoned that, and instead the Home Office plans to ask communications companies to keep records on their subscribers and all their activity, whether it’s online or on mobile phones, according to the BBC. Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said: "Communications data is an essential tool for law enforcement… Read More

There were outcries when the British government first proposed a giant database covering all phone calls, e-mails and Internet use in the country. But according to an article in the Guardian, a upcoming white paper on the database is including the option to send the databse out for tender to be run by private companies. The database, whose costs could reach £12 billion, wouldn’t record content, but would have details of sites… Read More

There are new proposals to create a giant database of all Internet traffic and mobile phone calls in the UK, although Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has insisted it would be only dates and times, not actual content. She claimed it was necessary to help police and security services, according to the BBC. "Our ability to intercept communications and obtain communications data is vital to fighting terrorism and combating serious crime,… Read More

Knife crime is bad in the UK. So is drunken, random street violence at night. And the last thing the British government wants is to encourage more of it. For several months it’s been putting pressure on YouTube regarding some of its content. Just a few days ago the company decided to ban violent videos. Now, in a move specific to the UK (much as the ban on Nazi-related videos in Germany) YouTube has agreed to ban videos showing… Read More

With the Internet one of the frontiers of the war on terror, British Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has announced plans to combat Internet extremism, hopingto stop “vulnerable” young people being drawn toward radical groups, the BBC reports.   Smith announced that she’s been working with major ISPs and Muslim groups on plans.  "We are already working closely with the communications industry to take action against… Read More