THOUGHT

12
NEWS
Privacy invaded by
‘snooper’s charter’
A
Telford technology
company has issued a
stark warning about the
Government’s new Investigatory
Powers Act, claiming it has
major implications for the
privacy of every British citizen.
Entanet, the ISP and communications
company based at Stafford Park, believes
the legislation – described by opponents as
a ‘snooper’s charter’ – could lead to further
sweeping powers being assumed by the state.
The company’s product manager, Paul
Heritage-Redpath, says the passing of the Bill into
law, which got its royal assent in December, sets a
dangerous precedent.
“Entanet campaigned hard against the IPB
and its previous incarnations,” he said.
“Given the volume of data breaches already
this year, as a responsible ISP we consider the
collection of every citizen’s browsing history to be
a profoundly bad idea; it is inevitable that, at best,
there will be scope creep among government
departments.
“At worst, your life will fall into the wrong
Leighann Morgan (centre) with Emily Soden (left) and Lydia Darby
hands. We will let former Prime Minister David
Cameron have the last word: ‘If we want to stop
the state controlling us, we must confront this
surveillance state’.”
In a multiple-choice straw poll conducted
on the Entanet website last year, 57 per cent of
respondents said that if the IPB was passed, they
would be ‘off to live in the woods so that they
wouldn’t have a digital footprint to spy on’.
A further 24 per cent said they were mostly
concerned about how their business will manage
the cost of required data retention.
Fourteen per cent said they had no knowledge
of the IPB, while only five per cent said they were
not bothered as they have nothing to hide.
“The Investigatory Powers Act will impact your
business and your personal life,” Paul said.
The New Statesmen agreed with Entanet’s
stance on the bill, saying: “The powers contained
in the IP Bill are more suited to a dictatorship than
a democracy, giving the state sweeping powers
to intrude into the private lives of ordinary citizens
who are not under suspicion of any crime.
“What few people realise is that the Bill
is not just a ‘catching up’ with powers that
evolved in secret over the last decade. In fact,
the government is using the bill to extend its
powers, especially for ordinary police and law
enforcement.
“Your Internet Service Provider will be forced
to keep a record of the websites you visit and the
apps you use, storing this information for a year
– whether or not you are suspected of a crime.
The powers in the Bill to gain access to Internet
and phone records are not limited to the police but
given in many cases to government departments,
including the Department of Health, DWP and
HMRC.
“The powers for security services go even
further, in ways that lack balance and sufficient
restraints.”
Lights...camera...
action – it’s time
to plan a more
Opulent lifestyle
A new luxury travel agency has launched in Shropshire, specialising in bespoke
holidays, corporate business and VIP and concierge-style travel.
Opulent Travel Services, based in Shrewsbury, has been launched by Leighann
Morgan who has a 20-year background in the travel industry.
She worked for big industry names such as Going Places, Thomson’s and Baker
Dolphin, as well as various independent travel agencies, before starting her own
business.
“Five years ago I branched out on my own, firstly as a Travel Counsellor and then
as an independent agent. Opulent Travel Services is an evolution into luxury travel,”
she said.
The company has been launched with the support of The Global Travel Group
franchise which gives Opulent Travel access to a vast electronic database and full
client protection under its ATOL licence.
Miss Morgan has taken on two extra staff to help run the agency which operates
out of offices in Town Walls, Shrewsbury.
“As an independent travel agency we’re not tied to in-house products. Recently
we’ve been putting bespoke packages together for high end luxury cruises and a
number of luxury group trips to the USA,” she added.
Miss Morgan has won awards in the past, including Mumpreneur UK Best
Saleswoman Award winner 2012. She came to the attention of prestigious clients
after featuring in the national lifestyle magazine Fabulous four years ago and making
an appearance on the BBC Big Breakfast sofa for International Women’s Day.
The same year she was invited by prestigious clients to develop connections at
the Cannes Film Festival.
Transparently priced,
practical advice and support
delivered by specialists with
foundations in Shropshire
Our specialist corporate, commercial property, dispute
resolution and employment lawyers provide support
to help you grow and protect your business, giving you a
solid foundation to build upon
Supporting People, Businesses & Communities
0800 652 3371 www.lblaw.co.uk
Offices in Shrewsbury | Bromyard | Hereford | Ludlow | Oswestry | Telford