UK Citizens' Browsing History to be Viewable by... just about everyone

[HeliX]

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/technology/your-entire-internet-history-to-be-viewable-by-psni-taxman-dwp-and-food-standards-agency-and-other-government-bodies-within-weeks-35242522.html

 

Ludicrous. Well and truly ludicrous.

[TheTeapot]

Its to keep you safe. Don't you feel safer already?

[When Skies Are Grey]

The Food Standards Agency???

[Tempus Fugit]

The Food Standards Agency???

seems the only one they left out was Uncle Tom Cobley

[HeliX]

In sort-of related news

http://arstechnica.co.uk/tech-policy/2016/11/digital-economy-bill-politicos-to-greenlight-isp-porn-blocking-plan/

[ManxTaxPayer]

In sort-of related news

http://arstechnica.co.uk/tech-policy/2016/11/digital-economy-bill-politicos-to-greenlight-isp-porn-blocking-plan/

 

 

It's an excellent idea in principle to block pornography. Whether it's workable or not is another thing.

[HeliX]

 

In sort-of related news

http://arstechnica.co.uk/tech-policy/2016/11/digital-economy-bill-politicos-to-greenlight-isp-porn-blocking-plan/

 

 

It's an excellent idea in principle to block pornography. Whether it's workable or not is another thing.

 

It's both a terrible idea and the wording is exceptionally worrying:

The steps that may be specified or arrangements that may be put in place under subsection (2) © include steps or arrangements that will or may also have the effect of preventing persons in the United Kingdom from being able to access material other than the offending material using the service provided by the Internet service provider.

[rmanx]

Every year the whole "we must ban porn to protect children" argument comes up, and every year its adults in positions of power that are dangerous to children.

 

The responsibility for "protecting" children on the internet is 100% the parents. If the parent doesn't know enough about the internet, either don't let you child on it or get advice on how to do it.

 

The internet should be the ultimate expression of free speech.

[quilp]

 

The internet should be the ultimate expression of free speech.

Lol! Just as long as it fits your narrative...

[rmanx]

 

The internet should be the ultimate expression of free speech.

Lol! Just as long as it fits your narrative...

 

 

Or yours. That's how free speech works apparently.

[Tarne]

It'll be used to censor the Internet. It's a bullshit law. The Internet should be free and untouched but sadly were giving up those freedoms for an illusion of 'the choldren'

[HeliX]

It'll be used to censor the Internet. It's a bullshit law. The Internet should be free and untouched but sadly were giving up those freedoms for an illusion of 'the choldren'

Yup.

 

Fortunately I'm tech-savvy, so this won't impact me, but I do feel somewhat at aghast at how many people are going to be impacted by this idiocy.

[pongo]

I do feel somewhat at aghast at how many people are going to be impacted by this idiocy.

In what sort of ways do you think people will be typically affected?

 

I doubt most people in Britain today are using the web for much more than - Facebook, iPlayer, Amazon, Netflix, Spotify, Gmail and the various messaging services. And gaming.

[Tarne]

So all your Internet history is benign and you'd be happy to share it? Google does keep a history of sites visited and searches at https://myactivity.google.com/myactivity if you'd be so kind to share yours.

 

Of course you wouldn't! People search for all sorts, it can be a case of searching for health topics which an insurance company might get a hold of to increase your insurance payments, or if you are accused of a crime, to find evidence there.

[pongo]

Google does keep a history of sites visited and searches at https://myactivity.google.com/myactivity if you'd be so kind to share yours.

To address your specific request here is mine attached. Long story short I have it switched off - clearly the specific Google history is irrelevant in this context. That is a completely different issue of course - that is about what advertising and marketing I see.

 

To the point however - I believe you have probably misunderstood my question as a defence of the new legislation. I am neither for nor certainly against. I was asking for examples of how people might be affected.

 

Also - you are conflating two different issues here. Censorship is a different issue completely. I think I am broadly in favour of some censorship provided that there is Parliamentary scrutiny. But that is a completely different issue.

 

(I am also very strongly in favour of measures to address copyright theft and the problem of bogus news - though I believe that cutting off the advertising will quickly deal with that. Again - separate but related issues.)