Internet users in the UK are facing greater online surveillance than ever before as the government and police can now record everything you click on online, thanks to the Snooper’s Charter officially coming into force.
The controversial law, officially titled the Investigatory Powers Bill, allows the government to collect data on anyone.
The government says the new laws will primarily be used to combat crimes like terrorism, but campaigners have warned that it could lead to innocent people being convicted of offences they didn't commit.
The new law will mainly be used to carry out bulk email surveillance, as authorities look to monitor communications between suspects. However it could also be used to monitor other personal information, including phone records and web browsing history.
The law, described as “world-leading” by home secretary Amber Rudd, forces electronic data to be stored by app companies for 12 months, which can be subsequently collected by law enforcement.
The companies would also be required to provide police, security services and official agencies with access to this data whenever required. Law enforcement agencies would also be given powers to hack into the computers and mobile devices of potential suspects.
