Dropping Privacy and Civil Liberties Board highlights need for judicial authorisation

Policy Director, Javier Ruiz said:

“While Open Rights Group did not feel the proposals for a Privacy and Civil Liberties Board went far enough, its removal highlights the need for more, not less, input from civil society on the reform of surveillance oversight.  ORG is calling for prior authorisation of surveillance decisions by judges, not limited reviews after the event.”

The Privacy and Civil Liberties Board was proposed in July 2014 as one of the concessions for the fast-tracking of the Data Retention and Investigatory Powers Act through Parliament.

The Terrorism Acts report is available here.