UK’s Queen signs intel surveillance bill

The United Kingdom’s Queen Elizabeth II on Tuesday signed a law granting British intelligence agencies new surveillance rights.

{mosads}The Investigatory Powers Act on Tuesday, codifying new and existing digital surveillance capabilities, is often referred to by the derogatory nickname, the Snooper’s Charter. 

“This Government is clear that, at a time of heightened security threat, it is essential our law enforcement, security and intelligence services have the powers they need to keep people safe,” U.K. Homeland Secretary Amber Rudd said in a statement. 

The Investigatory Powers Act includes provisions forcing internet service providers to maintain records of what pages customers visit for at least a full year, during which they would be subject to warrant.

It also establishes a new judicial framework to authorize surveillance, requires providers to assist in surveillance and permits government hacking.