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iNews 1 December 2022

I was  asked by the iNews for my opinion on the Online Safety Bill powers to require encrypted message services to scan users' communications. 

 I'm sharing some quotes here. The full article can be read via this link. 

Online Safety Bill’s ‘spy clause’ will pave way for ‘state-mandated mass surveillance’ of WhatsApp messages

By Richard Vaughan  1 December 2022 

The Matrix analysis has been shared with every MP as part of a briefing note drawn up by free speech campaigners Open Rights Group to raise concerns about what they describe as a “spy clause” contained within the Bill.


Dr Monica Horten, freedom of expression policy manager at Open Rights Group, said the powers would mean “messages of everyone using private chat services could be intercepted and scanned under a government mandate”.

“It is a new form of mass surveillance. It is a highly intrusive and disproportionate measure that is being imposed by an almost invisible phrase in the bill,” she added.


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About Iptegrity

Iptegrity.com is the website of Dr Monica Horten, independent policy advisor: online safety, technology and human rights. Advocating to protect the rights of the majority of law abiding citizens online. Independent expert on the Council of Europe Committee of Experts on online safety and empowerment of content creators and users.  Published author, and post-doctoral scholar, with a PhD from the University of Westminster, and a DipM from the Chartered Institute of Marketing.  Former telecoms journalist,  experienced panelist and Chair, cited in the media eg  BBC, iNews, Times, Guardian and Politico.

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