WEB giants and phone operators will be forced to allow spooks a “back door” into their products, protesters claim.

Privacy campaigners said last night that leaked documents prove the Government is seeking surveillance powers enabling spies to “listen” to 6,500 people at any one time.

2 The UK Government has reportedly discussed a deal with O2, Vodafone and Virgin to spy on your internet and phone Credit: Getty Images

The Independent reports Open Rights Group leaked the doc which shows plans to force operators to provide customer’s communications.

They say this would essentially ban encryption – used by WhatsApp and banks.

Messaging app WhatsApp repeatedly refused MI5 pleas to decode encrypted messages linked to terror investigations, Whitehall sources said in March.

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Fanatic Khalid Masood used it before his Westminster attack — but cops were not able to access it.

Home secretary Amber Rudd said it was “completely unacceptable” terrorists used encrypted messages to thwart security services.

The Register reports that the draft states communication companies must "provide and maintain the capability to disclose, where practicable, the content of communications or secondary data in an intelligible form and to remove electronic protection applied by or on behalf of the telecommunications operator to the communications or data”.

But the Home Office said there was "nothing new in this consultation".

They say: "These regulations do not create any new powers on encryption. They relate to technical details of powers that are set out in the Investigatory Powers Act, which was approved by Parliament in November 2016."

2 The Home Secretary Amber Rudd wants social media giants to do more to tackle extremist materials Credit: Rex Features

It is understood secretaries of state and a judge will have to authorise the surveillance.

The proposals will also need to be approved by both Houses of Parliament before becoming law.

The paper has reportedly passed through the UK's Technical Advisory Board.

This means that O2, BT, BSkyB, Cable and Wireless, Vodafone and Virgin Media have all seen its contents.

Open Rights executive director Jim Killock said: “These powers could be directed at companies such as WhatsApp to limit their encryption.

“The public has a right to know about government powers that could put their privacy and security at risk.”

He added: “Selective, secretive consultations have no place in open government.”

Liberal Democrat President Sal Brinton told The Register: “The security services need to be able to keep people safe. But these disproportionate powers are straight out of an Orwellian nightmare and have no place in a democratic society."

A BT spokesperson said: “BT has received a copy of draft Regulations, to be made under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016, in relation to technical capability notices. Any further enquiries should be directed to the Home Office”

A Vodafone spokesperson said: “It is for government to decide what information the authorities need access to in order to investigate crime and terrorism.

"Vodafone does not allow access to any customer data by authorities unless we are legally obliged to do so and we insist that that all agencies and authorities comply with legal due process. Our privacy principles and law enforcement practices are clearly outlined in our Law Enforcement Disclosure Report.”

Sun Online has contacted O2, BSkyB, Cable&Wireless and Virgin Media for comment.

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