Interception Modernisation Programme (IMP) - UK Gov Blackbox Spying Network

Via The Inquirer (UK) -

British Government plans to install black boxes at ISPs around the country, in order to log every email and web site visit its citizens make, are taking shape.

Shady Home Office officials have had talks with representatives from British based ISPs including BT, AOL Europe, O2 and BSkyB and told them of possible plans to implement the "black box" technology for storing all raw data being transmitted over the Web. It would all be funnelled into a giant central database controlled by the Government.

In British fashion, a huge public outcry over the news boiled down to Britain’s Information Commissioner, Richard Thomas, clearing his throat a bit and muttering about the move going a "step too far". A Government terrorism watchdog also grumbled a bit, under its breath, and called the plan simply " awful".

The plan, dubbed the Interception Modernisation Programme (IMP), is supposedly meant to help British intelligence catch bad guys and terrorists.

The endeavour will give the government greater "capacity" to monitor all communication and traffic on the internet, without requiring any direct input from the ISPs.

Smaller ISPs were told they would be completely unaffected by the evil spying devices, as these would be installed upstream on the network and completely paid for by Her Majesty’s government.

The Independent, who know all there is to know about MI5, MI6 and spying in general, quoted a source close to the meeting as saying: "They said they only wanted to return to a position they were in before the emergence of internet communication, when they were able to monitor all correspondence with a police suspect. "

The source went on to say that of course, this would mean the government would be, "in a much better position to spy on many more people on the basis of their internet behaviour”.

At the moment, plans for the database are just that, plans. But an Internet Service Providers Association spinner said the organisation was pleased the Home Office had addressed its members and was keen to continue dialogue while awaiting a formal consultation.