In NSA debate, do not ignore the UK, argues GPPi
With European outrage over ongoing surveillance revelations centered on the NSA, Europeans often ignore the threat in their midst: Britain’s surveillance apparatus, argues GPPi Director Thorsten Benner in an October 31 opinion piece
for Deutsche Welle Online.
Britain is the second most important member of the “Five Eyes” global spying alliance that in addition to the US includes Australia, Canada and New Zealand. Britain runs a massive surveillance system affecting millions of citizens around Europe and the world through taps on fiber-optic cables, weakening of encryption, and compelling of internet service providers to provide user data to the authorities.
The fight for digital privacy rights will not be won unless Europe starts to confront the crucial challenge within its own borders, argues Benner. In a number of ways, however, advocates against mass surveillance face an even tougher environment in the UK than in the US.
First, politically there is little momentum against surveillance in the UK. Second, in terms of safeguards and oversight, the UK has a very feeble regime. Third, the UK’s news media are in a weak position. The BBC’s reporting on the UK surveillance activities has been lackluster, and The Guardian, the world’s leading source of reporting on surveillance, has found itself at the receiving end of government intimidation.
Benner argues that anyone in Europe concerned about the right to privacy in the digital age needs to work through multiple channels to try to turn the tide in the UK. First, work with the UK parliament. The goal should be to convince the British parliament to push in favor of a EU agreement that affords all European citizens the same protections that are afforded to national citizens when it comes to the work of intelligence services.
Second, European NGOs, companies and governments should strive to build coalitions that help to delegitimize the UK (and by extension US) mas surveillance activities as violating fundamental rights to privacy enshrined in existing EU and international law.
Third, challenge British surveillance activities in court. In addition, the European Commission should consider suing Britain for violating European norms on privacy protection.
Though Benner argues that these steps will be met with opposition from administrations that favor surveillance, they are crucial for tackling the surveillance problem at its root.