It has often been asked: “why bother encrypting email? It is too hard for bad guys to intercept email”. But now, in the UK, the good guys are maneuvering to put in place a system to eavesdrop on every email, IM, text message, and URL visited. The data processing to accomplish that task is already funded to the tune of one billion pounds. Just what the security industry needed to ensure continued growth and deployment of encryption technology.
According to reports, the Government’s surveillance centre, based at the ‘doughnut’ building in Benhall, has already been given up to £1 billion to fund the first stage of what would be the country’s biggest ever surveillance system.
Known as the Interception Modernisation Programme, the scheme would enable GCHQ, MI5 and MI6 personnel, and also police, to access complete information on every text, email and visit to a website made in this country.
Boy am I glad I live in a country where privacy rights are respected.
