The independent reviewer of counterterrorism laws has implanted an attack on the plans to create a database of every phone call and email sent in Britain. According to Lord Carlile, the idea of a database was pathetic.

While in Canary Wharf, Home office secretary Jacqui Smith was quite busy defending the plans. She said, “Our ability to intercept communications and obtain communications data is vital to fighting terrorism and combating serious crime.”

The government is not determined to collect data related to the actual content but in fact collect the data related to calls and emails, such as the identity of the caller and where they are calling. 

Ms Smith added, “The communication revolution has been rapid in this country and the way we intercept data needs to change too.”

A whopping £1 billion would be spent for the database. The internet service providers and telecom companies would be instructed under it to provide the Home Office massive bundles of telephone and internet records. Following this, they would be preserved for a year and during this time, the access to security services would be given for free. 

“The government must justify the case for any such massive increase in state acquisition, sharing and retention of data, spell out the safeguards to prevent abuse and – given its appalling record – explain how it will protect the integrity of any database holding sensitive personal data,” explained Dominic Grieve, shadow home secretary.