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http://www.internetevolution.com/author ... tion_gnews The UK's 'Interception' Plan Won't (& Shouldn't) WorkWritten by George Taylor 5/16/2012 Post a comment
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In a thoughtful briefing on the IMP, the London School of Economics pointed out that recording and monitoring all the needed information would require not just deep packet inspection (DPI) equipment but also algorithms to separate communications data from content. Further complicating things is that it is not always clear what constitutes content. (Think of the URL for the result of a Google search that contains the search term itself, which can be invaluable to the eavesdropper.)
IMP was opposed across the political spectrum, including the Conservative and LibDem opposition, who however revived it when they came to power, renaming it the Communications Capabilities Development Programme. But the announcement, and its £2 billion (US$3.2 billion) budget, were buried deep in the Strategic Defence and Security Review, and little notice was taken until the proposed new legislation surfaced.
The objections given above still apply, despite Her Majesty's endorsement. Probably more so, considering the growth and complexity of social networking. Government cutbacks have made everyone aware of the need for economic stringency. There is no increased threat that anyone is aware of, and, according to a Home Office statement, the only benefit accruing will be to the police and intelligence services.
So why is the government intent on doing this? In a clip of Theresa May, the Home Secretary, being questioned on the proposals by a committee of MPs (see the last 10 minutes -- 13:46 onward), she replies to a question about the use of DPI kit and decryption, saying these are "technical details," which are outside her remit. Not only does she not know, she does not even think she should know.
Either May is being very disingenuous, or she really is unaware and, what is worse, badly briefed.
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