The Prime Minister has told the Home Office to contribute up to £20
million towards the costs to business in implementing the
Regulation of Investigatory Powers Bill which is presently being
debated in the House of Lords.
Tony Blair’s decision follows widespread controversy over the
anticipated cost to industry. The figure of £20 million is
significantly less than many industry estimates, which are based on
fears that ISPs will need to install new equipment to intercept
communications on their servers.
However, the Home Office has said, “the Government has no plans
whatsoever to require anyone to install any equipment for the
provision of communications data.”
One ISP, Poptel, which has been vocal in its attack on the new
law, has threatened to move its servers from the UK if the
government refuses to amend the Bill from its present form.
Shaun Fensom, the company’s chairman, is reported in Silicon.com
as saying, “We are concerned that under the proposed regulatory
regime we will not be able to guarantee the integrity of
communications for our clients, particularly trade unions, NGOs and
others who may legitimately come into conflict with the
government.”
He added that if the Bill is not withdrawn, “We will have no
alternative but to actively look at moving at least some of our
services overseas.”
Draft Codes of Practice on interception, covert surveillance,
covert human intelligence services and the use of decryption keys
will be published by the Home Office in the next few days.
