<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html charset=utf-8"><base href="https://wiki.openrightsgroup.org/wiki/ORG_parliamentary_and_policy_update/2014-w25"><style id="article-content">
@media print {
.original-url {
display: none;
}
}
h1.title {
font-weight: normal;
font-size: 1.5em;
line-height: 1.25em;
color: rgb(75, 75, 75);
text-align: start;
-webkit-hyphens: manual;
}
blockquote {
color: rgb(155, 155, 155);
margin: 1em 30px 1em 30px;
font-weight: lighter;
}
.page a {
color: rgb(65, 110, 210);
}
.page a:visited {
color: rgb(65, 110, 210);
}
#article img {
border: 1px inset rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
}
#article img.reader-image-tiny {
border: none;
}
#article .leading-image, #article figure, #article .auxiliary {
font-family: HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, sans-serif;
color: rgb(155, 155, 155);
}
.page {
font: 20px Georgia, serif;
line-height: 160%;
}
hr {
background: rgb(206, 206, 206);
height: 1px;
border: 0;
}
@media screen and (max-device-width: 480px) {
.page {
text-align: start;
}
}
</style><title>ORG parliamentary and policy update/2014-w25 - ORG Wiki</title></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;"><span class="Apple-Mail-URLShareWrapperClass" contenteditable="false"><span class="Apple-Mail-URLShareUserContentTopClass" style="line-height: 14px !important; color: black !important; text-align: left !important;" applecontenteditable="true"><br></span><span class="Apple-Mail-URLShareSharedContentClass" style="position: relative !important;" applecontenteditable="true"><base><div><div class="original-url"><a href="https://wiki.openrightsgroup.org/wiki/ORG_parliamentary_and_policy_update/2014-w25">https://wiki.openrightsgroup.org/wiki/ORG_parliamentary_and_policy_update/2014-w25</a><br><br></div><div id="article" role="article" style="-webkit-locale: en; border-bottom-width: 0px;">
<!-- This node will contain a number of 'page' class divs. -->
<div class="page" style="font-family: Georgia, Palatino, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 25px;"><h1 class="title">ORG Parliamentary and policy update</h1><p>Top Stories:
</p>
<ul>
<li> Government <a href="/wiki/ORG_parliamentary_and_policy_update/2014-w25#Surveillance_of_UK_citizens_permitted_because_they_are_treated_as_.27external_communications.27" title="ORG parliamentary and policy update/2014-w25"> confirms</a> surveillance of social media users
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li> Data Retention regulation still considered <a href="/wiki/ORG_parliamentary_and_policy_update/2014-w25#Question_on_validity_of_Data_Retention_directive_in_UK" title="ORG parliamentary and policy update/2014-w25"> valid</a> in UK
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li> Audit into confidentiality of NHS patient data, found to have <a href="/wiki/ORG_parliamentary_and_policy_update/2014-w25#Independent_investigation_into_data_records_safety_finds_multiple_lapses_in_confidentiality" title="ORG parliamentary and policy update/2014-w25"> serious breaches</a>
</li>
</ul>
<p>This is ORG's Parliamentary and policy update for the week beginning 16/04
</p><p>If you are reading this online, you can also subscribe to the <a rel="nofollow" href="http://lists.openrightsgroup.org/listinfo/parliamentary.monitor">email version</a>.
</p>
<h2><span>Official Meetings</span></h2>
<p>Jim Killock attended a meeting in Aberdeen to discuss ORG Scotland on Wednesday and spoke at a Westminster Media Forum on copyright reform in the UK and Europe. On Monday he met with Frank La Rue the outgoing Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression.
</p><p>Elizabeth Knight attended a meeting with Jim Killock and Dominic Young from the <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.copyrighthub.co.uk/about">Copyright Hub</a> and also met with the Open Society Foundation, <a href="/wiki/Liberty" title="Liberty">Liberty</a>, <a href="/wiki/Privacy_International" title="Privacy International">Privacy International</a> and <a href="/wiki/Digital_Rights_Ireland" title="Digital Rights Ireland">Digital Rights Ireland</a> to discuss the next steps to challenging the <a href="/wiki/Data_Retention_Directive" title="Data Retention Directive">Data Retention Directive</a>.
</p><p>Javier Ruiz, is attending a meeting with <a href="/wiki/ICANN" title="ICANN">ICANN</a> the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, to talk about ways civil society can become involved in <a href="/wiki/Internet_governance" title="Internet governance">internet governance</a>.
</p>
<h2><span>Consultations and departments</span></h2>
<p><i>A full list of open consultations and Parliamentary events can be found on our <a href="/wiki/Events" title="Events">Events</a></i>
</p>
<h3><span>Independent investigation into data records safety finds multiple lapses in confidentiality</span></h3>
<p>The Health and Social Care Information Centre (<a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.hscic.gov.uk/about-us">HSCIC</a>), as part of their rolling programme of spot checks on companies, universities, charities and government bodies that receive medical data, has found significant violations of safety rules.
</p><p>They found that a research programme with no legal authority to access data that could identify patients, were still using the information in 2014. They also found that a further eight companies were receiving mortality data without approval, which can be used to pinpoint individual patients (<a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/jun/17/nhs-patient-data-audit-significant-lapses-confidentiality-hscic">The Guardian</a>).
</p>
<h2><span>Government Bills</span></h2>
<h3><span>Bill to introduce life sentence for serious cyber crimes, progressing through House of Lords</span></h3>
<p>The Serious Crime Bill saw its second reading in the <a href="/wiki/House_of_Lords" title="House of Lords">House of Lords</a> on Monday 16 June. The bill brings a series of amendments to a number of Acts, including the <a href="/wiki/Computer_Misuse_Act_1990" title="Computer Misuse Act 1990">Computer Misuse Act 1990</a>. It includes provisions to impose a "maximum sentence of life imprisonment for cyber attacks which result in loss of life, serious illness or injury or serious damage to national security".
</p><p>The Committee stage, where the bill will be examined in details with begin on 2 July.
</p><p>You can follow the bill on the parliament's <a rel="nofollow" href="http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2014-15/seriouscrime.html">website</a>.
</p>
<h2><span>Private Members Bills</span></h2>
<h3><span>Early day motion against mass surveillance</span></h3>
<p><a href="/wiki/Tom_Watson_MP" title="Tom Watson MP">Tom Watson MP</a> introduced an <a href="/wiki/Early_day_motion" title="Early day motion">Early day motion</a> on Thursday to recognise the harmful practise of mass surveillance and its multiple violations of laws and to introduce legislation that would bring an end to the practice.
</p><p>You can see more information on the parliament <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2014-15/147">website</a>.
</p>
<h2><span>Debates, questions and speeches</span></h2>
<h3><span>Minister of Organised Crime gives speech on UK Cyber Security</span></h3>
<p><a href="/wiki/Karen_Bradley_MP" title="Karen Bradley MP">Karen Bradley MP</a>, the Minister for Organised Crime in the <a href="/wiki/Home_Office" title="Home Office">Home Office</a> made a speech about cyber security in the UK at IA14's cyber security <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.cesg.gov.uk/ia14/Pages/about-the-event.aspx">conference</a>. In her speech she reiterated the reforms to the Serious and Organised Crime Strategy, initially launched in October. The changes were principally reforming the approach into four areas of focus 'Pursue, Prevent, Protect and Prepare'. (<a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/karen-bradley-speech-on-uk-cyber-security">Gov.uk</a>)
</p>
<h3><span>Question on validity of Data Retention directive in UK</span></h3>
<p><a href="/wiki/Tom_Watson_MP" title="Tom Watson MP">Tom Watson MP</a>, asked whether the Home Department had provided the public communications providers with information regarding the <a href="/wiki/Data_retention_directive#ECJ_incompatibility_ruling" title="Data retention directive"> Data Retention directive</a> incompatibility ruling or if the communications providers had sought advice from the government.
</p><p><a href="/wiki/James_Brokenshire_MP" title="James Brokenshire MP">James Brokenshire MP</a> responded that while the judgement of the European Court is still being considered, the UK Data Retention Regulations 2009, remain in force. He also added that "Those in receipt of a notice under the regulations have been informed that they should continue to observe their obligations as outlined in any notice". (<a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201415/cmhansrd/cm140616/text/140616w0004.htm#140616w0004.htm_wqn34">Hansard</a>)
</p>
<h3><span>Debate on digital bill of rights</span></h3>
<p><a href="/wiki/Lord_Mitchell" title="Lord Mitchell">Lord Mitchell</a> asked a question on the possibility of introducing a digital bill of rights in conjunction with the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta. An interesting discussion followed on the necessity of introducing measures to protect consumer privacy (<a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201415/ldhansrd/text/140616-0001.htm#st_33">Hansard</a>).
</p>
<h2><span>International Developments</span></h2>
<h3><span>American House of Representatives votes to cut funding on mass surveillance of Americans</span></h3>
<p>On Thursday night, the House of Representatives voted to pass an amendment to a defence bill in order to cut funding to <a href="/wiki/NSA" title="NSA">NSA</a> operations that involved the mass surveillance of Americans. (<a rel="nofollow" href="http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2014/06/house-votes-293-123-to-cut-funding-for-nsa-spying-on-americans-building-backdoors/">Ars Technica</a>)
</p>
<h2><span>European Union</span></h2>
<h3><span>Germany launches inquiry into surveillance of German Chancellor's phone</span></h3>
<p>Last week, the federal prosecutor announced an investigation into allegations that the <a href="/wiki/NSA" title="NSA">NSA</a> was monitoring Angela Merkel's mobile phone (<a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/04/germany-inquiry-nsa-tapping-angela-merkel-phone">The Guardian</a>).
</p>
<h3><span>SPIEGEL launches investigation into German-linked Snowden files</span></h3>
<p>German newspaper, Der Spiegel, has began a reassessment of the 'Snowden files' linked to Germany. They've found that the <a href="/wiki/NSA" title="NSA">NSA</a> was more involved in Germany than anywhere else in Europe. According to their analysis, the agency's most important listening station in Europe has been established in US Army property in Griesheim, Germany called the European Society Centre (ESC) (<a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/new-snowden-revelations-on-nsa-spying-in-germany-a-975441.html#ref=nl-international">Spiegel</a>).
</p>
<h2><span>Law and Legal Cases</span></h2>
<h3><span>Surveillance of UK citizens permitted because they are treated as 'external communications'</span></h3>
<p>As part of an ongoing legal challenge over the UK's involvement in mass surveillance, the country's top counter-terrorism official has revealed how a legal loophole has been used to justify the surveillance of <a href="/wiki/Facebook" title="Facebook">Facebook</a>, <a href="/wiki/Twitter" title="Twitter">Twitter</a>, Youtube and <a href="/wiki/Google" title="Google">Google</a> user in the UK.
</p><p><a href="/wiki/Charles_Farr" title="Charles Farr">Charles Farr</a> the Director General of the Office for Security and Counter Terrorism said the surveillance was legal, because all such communications were treated as 'external communications' and were thus not subject to domestic legal restrictions (<a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.privacyinternational.org/press-releases/uk-intelligence-forced-to-reveal-secret-policy-for-mass-surveillance-of-residents">Privacy International</a>).
</p><p>You can view his witness statement in full <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.privacyinternational.org/sites/privacyinternational.org/files/downloads/press-releases/witness_st_of_charles_blandford_farr.pdf%7C">online</a>(PDF).
</p>
<h2><span>ORG Media coverage</span></h2>
<dl>
<dt>2014-06-19 - The Inquirer - <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/2350961/bskyb-copyright-reform-for-digital-services-would-do-more-harm-than-good">Bskyb: Copyright reform for digital services would 'do more harm than good'</a>
</dt>
<dd><b>Author</b>:Carly Page
</dd>
<dd><b>Summary</b>: Mention of Open Rights Group action to reform copyright regulations.
</dd>
</dl>
<p><br>
See <a href="/wiki/ORG_Press_Coverage" title="ORG Press Coverage">ORG Press Coverage</a> for full details.
</p>
<h2><span>ORG contact details</span></h2>
<p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.openrightsgroup.org/people/staff">Staff page</a>
</p>
<ul>
<li> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.openrightsgroup.org/people/staff#jim">Jim Killock, Executive Director</a>
</li>
<li><a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.openrightsgroup.org/people/staff#elizabeth">Elizabeth Knight, Legal Director</a>
</li>
<li> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.openrightsgroup.org/people/staff#javier">Javier Ruiz, Policy</a>
</li>
<li> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.openrightsgroup.org/people/staff#lee">Lee Maguire, Tech</a>
</li>
<li> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.openrightsgroup.org/people/staff#pam">Pam Cowburn, Communications</a>
</li>
</ul>
<!--
NewPP limit report
CPU time usage: 0.036 seconds
Real time usage: 0.040 seconds
Preprocessor visited node count: 79/1000000
Preprocessor generated node count: 84/1000000
Post‐expand include size: 0/2097152 bytes
Template argument size: 0/2097152 bytes
Highest expansion depth: 2/40
Expensive parser function count: 0/100
-->
<!-- Saved in parser cache with key mediawiki_public_live-orgwiki:pcache:idhash:8781-0!*!0!!en!*!* and timestamp 20140620125046
-->
</div></div></div></span><span class="Apple-Mail-URLShareUserContentBottomClass" style="line-height: 14px !important; color: black !important; text-align: left !important;" applecontenteditable="true"><br></span></span></body></html>