ISPs eye role in Jacqui's mass surveillance system

The trade body for ISPs has today cautiously welcomed news that the government does not plan to build a massive, centralised database of communications data, but voiced fears about the cost to its members. ISPA was responding to the Home Office's consultation on the Interception Modernisation Programme (IMP), published this morning. "In particular ISPA welcomes the decision by Government to explicitly exclude a central database as a means for storing communications data," it said in a statement. The intelligence and security agencies had campaigned within government for a central store for communications data. Home Secretary Jacqui Smith ruled the idea out today, citing privacy concerns. Instead, the government plans to spend £2bn to have ISPs intercept and process the data, ready for investigators on demand. Such a system will mean providers will need to hire new staff and buy new equipment. ISPA said the government had to ensure it covered the costs with public money.

Source: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/04/27/isp_imp_reaction/