RIP not dead yet comments still invited

UKTECH has followed the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (RIP) Bill debate since mid-May, when contributor Simon Burns first clarified the issues of the so-called 'Snoopers charter.' Since then we have reported criticism of the bill from respected UK bodies, such as the British Chambers of Commerce:

"The RIP Bill as it stands is entirely inadequate as a mechanism to achieve efficient and reasonable interception and surveillance. Its effect is likely to be loss of confidence in e-commerce, unacceptable costs to business and to the UK economy."

There has been international pressure as well, with Bill Clinton's Internet advisor, Esther Dyson, stating that the RIP risked turning Britain into a 'police state.' Then at the end of July, we reported that the bill had received Royal Assent.

However the RIP Act which is not due to come into force until October, just won't lie down. Perhaps because of the criticism, the Government and DTI have kept open the consultation period until 25th August. Comments are invited on all aspects of the proposals and consideration will be given to consultation responses before finalising the Regulations.

Details of how to respond to the consultation can be found at DTI

In particular comments are invited on the following:

1. Bearing in mind the constraints of the Directive, do you agree with the scope of the Regulations?

2. Do you agree that businesses should gain the consent of callers before making interceptions for purposes such as quality control, staff training, marketing or market research?

3. Do you agree that appropriate charities should be authorised to intercept communications on their helplines without the consent of callers?

4. Do you agree with the Government's approach to the drafting of the Regulations?

5. Do you consider that industry guidelines should be developed to provide further clarification of the Regulations? If so, which bodies should be chiefly involved?

6. Do you consider that the Regulations take sufficient account of the need to protect the confidentiality of communications and the right to privacy?

7. Do you agree with the broad conclusions of the regulatory impact assessment that businesses should not incur significant costs as a result of the regulations? What do you consider the compliance costs of implementing the regulations will be?

8. Do you agree with the conclusion of the regulatory impact assessment that small businesses should not incur significant costs as a result of the regulations? What do you consider the compliance costs of implementing the regulations will be for small businesses?

UKTECH's coverage of the RIP bill is shown below.

e-Commerce in the UK, RIP?

British Chambers of Commerce Condemn RIP Bill

Spinning the RIP

Britain isolated on RIP Bill

Royal Assent for IR 35 and RIP

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Mark Roderick

"Many a small thing has been made large by the right kind of marketing."

- Mark Twain