These proposed powers will apply not only to benefit claimants, but to others who are “linked” to them: the term remains vaguely defined.
“We’re not in the business of damaging people’s privacy”, Michelle Donelan tells the BBC.
Whatever further details emerge, and regardless of how the story plays out, this episode has illustrated something quite disheartening about our political and media ecosystems.
Such companies face not only new privacy and safety legislation in the UK, US, and EU, but less savoury demands from autho
Rather than a charter of exciting new ways to invade your privacy, their report is more an attempt to respond to Dean Acheson’s claim that Britain has lost an empire but not yet found a role.
State action to regulate social media is unproblematic in principle, but deeply problematic in practice – and the law of unintended consequences applies.
There are no certainties – at least, until it’s too late – so the UK should err on the side of caution.
If it is copied, tracked or taken unlawfully, then its owners should be compensated, regardless of whether they can prove ‘damage’.
A well-intentioned but badly designed EU law is irritating consumers and making life far harder for charities and businesses. After Brexit we will be able to fix it.
If Hillary and Remain had won, using the same methods, would anyone at the Guardian or the BBC have cared a bean about Cambridge Analytica’s behaviour?
Noel Malcolm warns that the European Court of Human Rights has become a threat to democracy.
From the original raid through to the attempt by former officers to bring down a Government minister on moralising grounds, this is an unedifying picture.
We should also be aware of any risks to privacy or individual freedom, but in Kent the technology is working well.
The Home Office has somewhat improved its position, but still seems to think the will of a minister can overcome the laws of mathematics.
We would be putting power back into the hands of UK citizens, protecting their rights and privacy in an increasingly digital world.