Edward Snowden's revelations made it clear: security oversight must be fit for the internet age | Nick Clegg | Comment is free | The Guardian:
Until this week, the revelations published by the Guardian about the nature and extent of internet surveillance had provoked little reaction from British politicians. The quality of the debate in the US provides an unflattering contrast to the muted debate this side of the Atlantic.
Some of the revelations have described far-reaching intelligence-gathering capabilities. There are questions of principle here that require answers. Are such capabilities necessary and proportionate? Does the benefit to national security clearly outweigh the infringement of privacy? Are there proper checks and balances to guard against abuse? To ask these questions is not to question the good faith of those who work for the agencies. I have had the privilege of working with all three security services, and have nothing but praise for their professionalism.
I don't doubt that they comply with the legal framework set for them by parliament. The issue is whether the rules we have set are fit for the internet age.
'The volume of the data GCHQ collects has increased exponentially since the early days of Ripa.' Illustration: Daniel Pudles
