The U.K. government plans to ask for powers allowing intelligence agencies to spy on people in real-time by introducing encryption ‘back doors’ to communications firms, according to leaked documents.
Privacy advocacy organization Open Rights Group obtained a leaked copy of the government’s draft technical capability notices (TCNs) regulation, which it has published in full on its website. The document forms part of a “targeted consultation” into the Investigatory Powers Act, which was brought into law last year, meaning it has not been publicized to the tech industry or the public. Under the proposals, all communications companies—including internet providers, messaging apps and phone networks—would be forced to provide police with real-time access to a person’s web browsing with one day’s notice.