Letters | 19 September 2012

Criminals on the net

Sir: Nick Cohen (‘Nowhere to hide’, 15 September) raises interesting points about the double-edged nature of the internet. The web has brought us massive communications benefits. However it also affords criminals the same. It is this that concerns me, rather than Mr Cohen’s claim that it will allow, through our Communications Data Bill, the government to monitor people’s every move. This is based on a fundamental misunderstanding of the Bill. Its purpose is to update powers law enforcement bodies already have, making them relevant to the 21st century.
It cannot make sense to enable police to investigate crimes conducted using a mobile phone but not give them powers to investigate crimes conducted over the internet. We are only talking about who a criminal emailed and when — not content. We do not want automatic access to every service people use to communicate. The authorities will only be able to access data as part of investigations, when necessary and proportionate, to protect the public. We are confident our proposals would make it far less likely that criminals could circumvent detection. Without these, there will be large and growing gaps in our ability to prevent criminals going undetected.
Finally, the Bill contains clear safeguards. A number of offences addressing abuse of personal data already exist. The powers will be overseen by the Interception of Communications and Information Commissioners, reporting to Parliament.
It is right we debate the proposals in the Bill. But it is not state intrusion into private lives that people should worry about. It’s the prospect of giving criminals increasing scope to exploit new technology — precisely what the Bill is designed to stop.
James Brokenshire, security minister
Home Office, London SW1

Ode to Joy

Sir: It is perhaps sad that President Barroso would have been able only to ask the European Parliament to hum the dreadful Ode to Joy (‘A speech for Europe’, 15 September) in the unfortunate absence of a band.