Tweets by former NSA whistleblower claim Theresa May’s plans are akin to compiling ‘a list of every book you’ve ever opened’

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

Edward Snowden has outlined his opposition to the British government’s investigatory powers bill, arguing that Conservative politicians were “taking notes on how to defend the indefensible”.

The former National Security Agency (NSA) whistleblower, whose disclosure of top-secret documents ultimately led to the home secretary, Theresa May, proposing the bill, made a series of tweets on Wednesday warning that the communications data covered by the legislation was “the activity log of your life”.

Edward Snowden (@Snowden) By my read, #SnoopersCharter legitimizes mass surveillance. It is the most intrusive and least accountable surveillance regime in the West.

Edward Snowden (@Snowden) "I don't need privacy, I've nothing to hide" argues "I don't need free speech, I've nothing to say." Rights = Power https://t.co/AOMc79DIOS





Edward Snowden (@Snowden) "It's only communications data" = "It's only a comprehensive record of your private activities." It's the activity log of your life. #IPBill

He retweeted a post that laid bare how bulk interception warrants, section 106 of the bill, would allow GCHQ to get mass warrants for any communication content types and metadata, or activity records.

Edward Snowden (@Snowden) Wondering why May is at pains to claim emails are safe? There's a history. https://t.co/4VJt0V84VE #SnoopersCharter pic.twitter.com/cKN5ZsqGMQ

Snowden also attacked the changes to the bill which include a two-stage approvals process that would allow the home secretary to give the initial authorisation to intercept warrants, followed by confirmation from a senior judge with security clearance.

“#SnoopersCharter’s ‘judicial oversight’ seems notional, not serious. Judges need power to weigh evidence, propriety,” he tweeted.

The former CIA employee, who is now director Freedom of the Press Foundation, a crowdfunded journalism initiative, dismissed the argument used by some ministers that web records were similar to an itemised phone bill and said storing internet connection records (ICR) was akin to “a list of every book you’ve ever opened”.

Edward Snowden (@Snowden) It's not about something to hide, it's about something to lose.

Edward Snowden (@Snowden) I think that has to come from the President, but I appreciate the offer. https://t.co/ZOQkbARNFF

The publication of the draft bill comes two and a half years after Snowden disclosed the scale of secret mass surveillance of the global traffic in confidential personal data carried out by Britain’s GCHQ and the NSA in the US.

Edward Snowden (@Snowden) Your web records are not like "an itemised phone bill," they're like a list of every book you've ever opened. #SnoopersCharter

Edward Snowden (@Snowden) Tory MPs taking notes on how to defend the indefensible from the experts. Disappointing. #SnoopersCharter https://t.co/M0bhvO5YqH

Edward Snowden (@Snowden) CC: Media https://t.co/r48dvCFVIU

Edward Snowden (@Snowden) Please let this be a thing. https://t.co/rxf3Mpz2uM

Edward Snowden (@Snowden) By my read, #SnoopersCharter legitimizes mass surveillance. It is the most intrusive and least accountable surveillance regime in the West.

Edward Snowden (@Snowden) #IPB seeks legal cover for programs made "secret" to avoid court challenges, not save lives. https://t.co/Jyh1yGoYRg pic.twitter.com/wULqpgiKrK