Watchdog aims for ‘limits’ on monitoring of calls and emails

Britain’s data protection watchdog will press for “limitations and safeguards” to protect citizens’ privacy from government proposals to monitor all calls, emails, texts and website visits.

Information commissioner Christopher Graham wants assurances about plans that will mean internet companies are instructed to install hardware tracking telephone and website traffic. The legislation, expected in next month’s Queen’s Speech, will enable GCHQ to access information “on demand” in “real time” without a warrant.

A spokesman for the information commissioner’s office said: “The information commissioner’s role in this Home Office project, both under this government and the last, has been to press for the necessary limitations and safeguards to mitigate the impact on citizens’ privacy.