Skip to main content

Investigatory Powers Bill technology issues examined

3 November 2015

The Science and Technology Committee holds a one-off evidence session on the draft Investigatory Powers Bill and the consequences for privacy, proportionality and data security.

Witnesses

Tuesday 10 November 2015, Wilson Room, Portcullis House.

At 2.15 pm

  • Matthew Hare, Chief Executive Officer, Gigaclear
  • John Shaw, Vice President, Product Management, Sophos
  • James Blessing, Chair, Internet Services Providers' Association (ISPA UK)

At 3.15 pm

  • Professor Ross Anderson, Professor of Security Engineering, University of Cambridge
  • Professor Mike Jackson, formally of Birmingham City Business School
  • Dr Joss Wright, Research Fellow, Oxford Internet Institute
  • Professor Sir David Omand GCB, Visiting Professor, Department of War Studies, King's College London

Chair's comments

Chair Nicola Blackwood MP:

"New tools are clearly needed to fight terrorism and crime in the twenty-first century, but the potential impact that the draft Investigatory Powers Bill will have on our communication sector must be carefully scrutinised.

The Science and Technology Committee will explore the technological implications of the new powers announced by the Home Secretary and their consequences for privacy and data security."

Purpose of the session

The draft Investigatory Powers Bill is, in large part, a response to advances in communications, particularly over the internet. Confidence in commerce depends on reliable encryption.

The boundaries between content and communications data are becoming blurred. The consequences for privacy, proportionality and data security will be explored by the Committee in the context of the rapidly changing technological landscape – and the need to fight terrorism and crime.

Further Information

Image: iStockphoto