Pressure groups hold Snooping Bill summit

Trade unions, human rights organisations and pressure groups have been called to an emergency meeting to discuss the implications of the controversial Regulation of Investigatory Powers Bill (RIP).

A wide range of academics, think-tanks, charities, professional associations and trades unions were invited the London School of Economics (LSE) late yesterday, to discuss the impact of the Bill.

Organisations include Amnesty International, the Broadcasting Union (BECTU), Campaign against the arms trade, Cyber Rights & Cyber Liberties, Feminists against censorship, Index on Censorship, the Law Society, Liberty, the Library Association, MSF, UNISON, and the UNIX users group.

Even though the bill is nearing completion in Parliament, the attendees hope to be able to influence the final outcome. Roland Perry, regulatory officer with the London Internet Exchange, agreed there may still be time to shift the ground rules.

In an exclusive interview with silicon.com, Perry said the UK government knows that important repairs need to be done to the Bill and the ISP community can protect themselves from the legislation by being more involved.

He said: "I think in the codes of practice, we will see the day to day measures by which notices will be served. We'll be able to see the kinds of information that we put on the notices and the way in which the industry can satisfy itself that the notices are right and proper."

Once passed, the Snooping Bill, which will allow the UK government access to secure data online, could cost ISPs as much as £20m over three years.

But Tim Smape, member of the council at ISPA wants to see the police educated on what they can actually get from the web before it goes any further.

He said: "The police need to be trained in technology and use of the internet so they can understand what information they can gather for forensic evidence before they apply for a warrant."

He also called on the UK government to liase with ISPs to set up a procedure that will benefit all involved.

He said: "It's important the procedure is defined and this is where an advisory board would be beneficial. We need to have a process and guidelines for how it all works."

More news on the LSE summit to follow&.

The full interview with Roland Perry can be viewed in the ISP channel (http://www.silicon.com/a38414 )