ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office) Issues Statement: The Communications Data Bill.
February 24, 2009
The ICO has released a statement expressing concerns about the Government plans for a Communications Data Bill.
The Government plans for a Communications Data Bill, outlined in its draft legislative programme, have received a pretty distrustful reaction from the ICO.
The ICO’s John Bamford, Assistant Information Commissioner, commented on the proposed government database:
‘If the intention is to bring all mobile and Internet records together under one system, this would give us serious concerns and may well be a step too far. We are not aware of any justification for the state to hold every UK citizen’s phone and internet records. We have real doubts that such a measure can be justified, or is proportionate or desirable. Such a measure would require wider public discussion. Proper safeguards would be needed to ensure that the data is only used for the proper purpose of detecting crime.
We have warned before that we are sleepwalking into a surveillance society. Holding large collections of data is always risky; the more data that is collected and stored, the bigger the problem when the data is lost, traded or stolen. Defeating crime and terrorism is of the utmost importance, but we are not aware of any pressing need to justify the government itself holding this sort of data. If there is a problem with the current arrangements, we stand ready to advise on how they can be improved, rather than creating an additional system to house all records’.
The Government outline in its legislative programme states that the purpose of the Bill is to allow communications data capabilities for the prevention and detection of crime and protection of national security to keep up with changing technology through providing for the collection and retention of such data, including data not required for the business purposes of communications service providers; and to ensure strict safeguards continue to strike the proper balance between privacy and protecting the public.
The main elements of the Bill involve modifications to the procedures for acquiring communications data and increasing powers for this data to be retained. It wil also transpose EU Directive 2006/24/EC on the retention of communications data into UK law. The Government claims that the main benefits of the Bill are that ‘communications data plays a key role in counter-terrorism investigations, the prevention and detection of crime and protecting the public. The Bill would bring the legislative framework on access to communications data up to date with changes taking place in the telecommunications industry and the move to using Internet Protocol (IP) core networks. Unless the legislation is updated to reflect these changes, the ability of public authorities to carry out their crime prevention and public safety duties and to counter these threats will be undermined’.
That early outline has since, reportedly, been fleshed out but no public document is available.
UK Superdatabase (uberdatabase) aka The Communications Data Bill
February 24, 2009
The purpose of the Bill is to:
Allow communications data capabilities for the prevention and detection of crime and protection of national security to keep up with changing technology through providing for the collection and retention of such data, including data not required for the business purposes of communications service providers; and to ensure strict safeguards continue to strike the proper balance between privacy and protecting the public.
The main elements of the Bill would:
Modify the procedures for acquiring communications data and allow this data to be retained;
The main benefits of the Bill are:
Communications data plays a key role in counter-terrorism investigations, the prevention and detection of crime and protecting the public. The Bill would bring the legislative framework on access to communications data up to date with changes taking place in the telecommunications industry and the move to using Internet Protocol (IP) communications services;
Unless the legislation is updated to reflect these changes, the ability of public authorities to carry out their crime prevention and public safety duties and to counter these threats will be undermined.
Territorial Extent:
United Kingdom
Theme:
Personalisation and Improvement of Public Services
Consultation:
The Government will be launching a consultation, outlining the emerging problem, possible solutions, and the necessary safeguards these would involve. This consultation will begin early in 2009 and will be available to read or download on www.homeoffice.gov.uk.
Dependent on the outcome of the consultation, the Government will consider whether to bring forward proposals. In the meantime, any comments or questions about these proposals should be directed to CommsData@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk.
Reference:
http://www.commonsleader.gov.uk/output/page2667.asp
Big Brother Will Have His 3rd Eye: Jacqui Smith’s SuperDatabase Plan
February 24, 2009
Jacqui Smith, The Home Secretary is preparing to pass what has been dubbed a “personal data hell house” by the mainstream press. Within weeks the home secretary will outline options for a UK-wide centralised superdatabase.
One of the biggest assaults on human rights in modern history: The database is to track the telephone and Internet records of Brits and would be accompanied by tough sanctions against leaks or information security breaches.
TXT Messaging, Cellphone communications, Fixed Line Communications, Voice over IP communications (including services like Skype), Email, Instant messaging (including MSN Live Messenger), Internet Search queries, Online Identities, Cellphone Contacts lists, Email Contacts lists, and Profile Site (like Myspace, Bebo and Facebook) communications are all rumored to be included in the proposed database which will provide security forces with live information on all of the above.
Sir Ken Macdonald, the former director of public prosecutions, told The Guardian that the proposed assurances on information security under consideration by the government are nothing but a facade that is likely to crumble sooner rather than later.
“Authorisations for access might be written into statute. The most senior ministers and officials might be designated as scrutineers. But none of this means anything. All history tells us that reassurances like these are worthless in the long run. In the first security crisis the locks would loosen,” Macdonald said.
Legislation to establish the superdatabase was postponed in October in favour of a further round of consultation by the Home Office. The Home Secretary argues that a database on call records (including location but not the actual content of conversations and SMS) and internet use data is needed as part of plans to modernise the UK’s existing interception regime. As things stand, ISPs and telcos supply such data in response to requests by law enforcement agencies or the security services.
Estimates for the cost of establishing a super-database suggest it might cost anything up to £12bn ($17.4bn), or twice as expensive as the ID cards scheme. Ministers hope that putting the project into the hands of the private sector will help to reduce costs.
Macdonald argued that creating the über-database represents a further move towards a Big Brother-style “surveillance society”. He further argued that, over time, and especially in the event of a security crisis, more and more officials would be given access to information on the database.
“The tendency of the state to seek ever more powers of surveillance over its citizens may be driven by protective zeal. But the notion of total security is a paranoid fantasy which would destroy everything that makes living worthwhile. We must avoid surrendering our freedom as autonomous human beings to such an ugly future. We should make judgments that are compatible with our status as free people,”
“This database would be an unimaginable hell-house of personal private information. It would be a complete readout of every citizen’s life in the most intimate and demeaning detail. No government of any colour is to be trusted with such a roadmap to our souls.”
Estimates for the cost of establishing a super-database suggest it might cost anything up to £12bn ($17.4bn), or twice as expensive as the ID cards scheme. Ministers hope that putting the project into the hands of the private sector will help to reduce costs.
Andrew Rawnsley on Politics Home made the following statement in response to a question to their “Expert Panel 100″ panel:
Jacqui Smith is being cast as Big Brother – though perhaps that should be Big Mother – over plans to further extend the amount of information on citizens held by the state. The terrorism watchdog is one of those concerned with the idea of a database holding information about every phone call, email and internet visit.
The Home Secretary will go ahead regardless of strong opposition.
A big majority (seventy three per cent) of the politically balanced panel think that Ministers intend to proceed anyway. Only a small minority of the panel (seven per cent) think that there will not be strong opposition to the database scheme.
About a quarter of the panel (twenty six per cent) reckon the Government will drop the plan.
Comments from panellists are almost uniformly hostile to the proposal.
One panel member calls the plan ‘intrusive, illiberal and a waste of money.’
Another panellist remarks: ‘The Government is obsessed with this sort of stuff while people increasingly worry about their privacy and the Government’s true intentions.’
A third panel member reckons that Ministers are under pressure from the spooks: ‘It will proceed more slowly and tentatively than 42 days but security services are 100% behind this one so goverment can’t drop it.’
A fourth panellist rages: ‘The plan is mad, bad and dangerous, but that never seems to stop loony tune security ideas being pursued by Brown and Smith.’
References:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/12/31/superdatabase_latest/
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/dec/31/privacy-civil-liberties
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/feb/13/laws-communication-superdatabase
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/feb/06/surveillance-freedom-peers
Review: Flower (PSN) (PS3)
February 22, 2009
Flower is the latest PSN (Playstation Network) release for TGC (That Game Company). Flow, their previous game, was a cult hit with its simple game play and art style. Flow used the PS3’s six axis motion control system as standard. This system is also used in Flower.
Flower isn’t much of a game. It is more of an interactive experience. There is a curious simplicity to the game play that really does make it feel like something more; than just a game. PSN and TGCs decision to use the six axis control system once again, has proved to be the right choice.
The player plays as “the wind” blowing petals from flower to flower. Each flower(or group of flowers) will add more colour to the landscape in the level and open up new paths. Colour seems to be the emphasis of the whole experience. The main screen puts you in a drab and dark urban setting with only one potted flower on the window sill. With progression more flowers are added to the window sill and when selecting a flower the game cuts away to an urban scene before dropping you into a field to begin returning colour to the land.
From this little ledge a whole world awaits
Its this contrast that brings Flower into the “Are games art?” debate. It is a near impossible question to answer. However, Flower certainly puts up a case for being artsy and stylish whilst remaining a generally fun game to play. The music adds to the whole experience: rising throughout a level and with each different flower adding a chime or two the musical score feels almost magical.
The visuals on the other hand are to be expected for a game called flower: really colourful and pretty. The level of contrast certainly makes the colour much more vivid. Even if the colour emerging from the darkness is purple for example. With all of the above in mind it definately makes Flower an interesting art like project.
A land full of colour and the power of the wind
A further investigation of the game reveals there is no written narrative in Flower leaving the player to interpret the game through the visuals . Arguably leaving much more open to the imagination. For me it felt like TGC were trying to say “Hey look at your urban lifestyle, think how dark and drab it really is and now think how colourful the countryside is” Is it a play on the continuing urbanisation of the world? Maybe. Though again thats just my pennies worth of thought. Much like how the game Braid made players around the world think of the narrative and what it actually meant . Flower continues this trend and really it nails it well. The lack of written narrative and the use of subtle narrative adds a whole new level to the game.
On the technical side of things the six axis controls don’t always work as best they could. It isnt really a fault of the game, more a fault with Sony haphazardly throwing in motion control at the last minute for the PS3. It will take a good 10ish minutes to get a full grip on the controls and even then they aren’t perfect.
All in all, Flower is an excellent addition to the PSN family and with a low price point too it makes it a perfect purchase. All PS3 owners should give it a try and see what all the fuss is about.
Score: 5/5
ASBO preventing hoodie lawful?
February 19, 2009
An ASBO (anti-social behaviour order) under section 1 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 can be granted if a person aged 10 or over has acted in a manner that caused or was likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one or more persons not of the same household and that an ASBO is needed to protect relevant persons from further such anti-social acts.
Following R. v. Boness and others [2005] EWCA Crim 2395 (Mitting J and Latham LJ) is clear that a condition of an ASBO must be ‘clear, necessary and proportionate’.
The Claimant was subject to an ASBO prohibiting him from ’wearing any article of clothing with an attached hood in any public place in the London Borough of Greenwich, whether the hood is up or down’. He claimed that this was unreasonable in that it purpose and effect was not to reduce anti-social behaviour but to prohibit or restrict a particular appearance or style that the Claimant might wish to wear. In addition this restriction arguably could or did infringe his right to freedom of expression.
However, the Divisional Court on 10 November 2008 (R (B) v. Greenwich Magistrates’ Court [2008] EWHC 2882) agreed with the District Judge that the prohibition was imposed to reduce in two ways the swagger, menace and fear caused byintimidating group activity. These were to prohibit wearing what appears to be part of a gang uniform and also by diminishing the confidence of those who wear the uniform that they may escape detection by wearing and raising the hood. It was clear that the Claimant wore the hood for both these purposes. Consequently the prohibition satisfied the tests of clarity, necessity and proportionality identified in Boness.
Nicholas Dobson
Senior Consultant, Local and Public Law.
Lloyds TSB Moves Against Gaza Aid Charity: Interpal
February 17, 2009
Interpal, the controversial UK-based Palestinian charity, is facing closure after Lloyds TSB instructed the Islamic Bank of Britain to shut its bank account.
Interpal (pictured), which is on a list of banned organisations in the US because of suspected links with terrorists, is also under investigation by the UK Charity Commission for the third time.
The first two investigations by the Commission, which concluded in 1996 and 2003, found no evidence of any wrongdoing by the charity. The latest one, which opened in December 2006, is examining fresh concerns about the potential for inappropriate links between the charity and terrorist supporters of Hamas, the government of Gaza.
Yet the suspicions of US intelligence services appear to have proved enough of a warning bell for Lloyds, which has told the Islamic Bank of Britain (IBB) to close Interpal’s account on 8 December. Lloyds has the power to do this because it is a clearing bank and clears all the IBB’s cheques.
In light of the news, Interpal’s chair Ibrahim Hewitt issued a statement to supporters warning that the situation “has the potential to force us to cease operations early next month”. Early December is also the start of the Muslim festival Eid, traditionally a time of prolific charitable giving.
Potential to damage community cohesion
“This has the potential to not only damage Interpal but also to affect community relations and cohesion in Britain,” he said.
“It is, at the very least, an example of the utter lack of respect faced by the Muslim community from some hostile quarters in this country.”
Hewitt added that IBB had offered its total support but is “apparently powerless, throwing into question the autonomy of Britan’s burgeoing Islamic finance sector”.
In a further statement on the charity’s website this week, Interpal said the Islamic Bank “remains threatened by Lloyds’ demands and thus faces closure itself”.
It accused Lloyds TSB of treating IBB in a discriminatory fashion and called it “an Islamophobic attack on the rights of all British Muslims”.
‘Dangerous precedent’
“Other Muslim charities now face the same discrimination and their accounts can be closed down without adequate warning or explanation. At a time when ties amongst communities need to be strengthened, this sets a dangerous precedent for discrimination on all British citizens and account-holders.”
Interpal blamed “pressures from foreign groups” for Lloyds TSB’s action. It has asked its supporters to write to Lloyds and the IBB demanding they rescind the “outrageous, unfair and arbitrary” decision.
If the account is closed, it will be the second time Interpal has had to find a new bank – NatWest “reluctantly” closed its account in April 2007 after a group of families of Israeli suicide bomb victims launched a claim against the bank in the US.
Supporters of the charity say it is only prudent for Interpal to have some dealings with Hamas. One supporter wrote on the Muslimmatters website: “How is a charity meant to avoid interacting with members of a country’s democratically-elected government? Especially in a place as chaotic as Palestine, where one needs to have good contacts at every level in order to get anything done.”
Lloyds TSB and the Islamic Bank of Britain both refused to comment.
iengage.org.uk has released the following statement:
Ever since Lloyds TSB issued their demand on 8th October 2008 to the Islamic Bank of Britain to cease all its dealings with the British charity Interpal – which since 1994 has been engaged in relief efforts particularly amongst orphans and the poor in occupied Palestine – they have been inundated with complaints from members of the public.
Responding to complainants, Lloyds TSB issued a letter claiming that they were actually devoted to Islamic causes and would never use their clout as one of the top four UK clearing banks to force another bank to cease dealings with Interpal. The following is an extract from their letter:
“Thank you for getting in touch about the Islamic Bank of Britain (IBB) and Interpal…We hope to reassure you about our commitment not only to our Muslim customers but to building relationships with the wider Muslim community. We can confirm that Lloyds TSB does not hold accounts for Interpal. Furthermore, we would not direct, nor would it be appropriate for us, to direct another institution on how to deal with its own customers.”
Unfortunately for Lloyds TSB, a letter it sent to the Islamic Bank of Britain on 8th October clearly shows that they are being rather economical with the truth.
The 8th October letter from Lloyds TSB which Interpal have now published on their website says unambiguously:
“We are writing to you to give you notice that, from the date falling on the sixtieth calendar day following the date of this letter we do not wish you to transfer, receive, process or in any way deal with any funds, or in any way whatsoever (acting either as banker or agent on behalf of the Customer) be involved with any type of banking arrangements for Interpal which either uses or involves any products or services provided by us. Furthermore we will not process any payments or credits or allow the completion of any transaction that we believe is or connected with Interpal. By signing and returning a copy of this letter you agree and undertake with us that you will, to the fullest extent possible, ensure that Interpal will not, nor will you on behalf of Interpal, use any products or services provided to you by us.”
Readers will know that Palestinian relief organisations are constantly targeted by Zionist groups who wish them to be closed down so as to increase pressure on the besieged population of the occupied territories. But why would Lloyds TSB take such partisan action against Interpal?
The Chairman of Lloyds TSB is Sir Victor Blank. According to the Jewish Chronicle, Sir Victor ‘is a former chair of the Union of Jewish Students Hillel, he is involved with Labour Friends of Israel, is a governor of Tel Aviv University and has also been brought on to the Jewish Leadership Council, meaning he is both Jewish and a leader…Yes, Sir Victor is one Jewish hombre.’
Despite what the Jewish Chronicle says about Sir Victor we at ENGAGE are confident that a distinguished gentleman such as he would not take a partisan stand against a charitable organisation like Interpal. Indeed, we at ENGAGE are sure that Sir Victor Blank – as Chairman of Lloyds TSB – must be utterly horrified at the actions that some of his staff have undertaken against Interpal. After all, Palestinian orphans – in the words of the former Palestinian representative to the UK, Afif Safieh – are not children of a lesser God.
The latest news is that Lloyds TSB has reportedly agreed to postpone the closure of Interpal’s bank account from 8 December until 30 January 2009 after representations from Interpal’s bank, the Islamic Bank of Britain (IBB).
It is vital that all people who value justice and are opposed to illegal occupation and intimidation write to Sir Victor Blank and demand that Lloyds TSB publicly withdraw its action against Interpal and apologise for its appallingly underhand and deceitful behaviour.
Sir Victor Blank, Chairman of Lloyds TSB: Lloyds TSB Group plc
25 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7HN. Tel: 020 7356 2493
ENGAGE request that you forward this link to all your friends and colleagues and urge them to write in and insist that Lloyds TSB reconsider their actions.
References:
http://www.charityfinance.co.uk/home/content.php?id=2384
Bugsy Malone – After They Were Famous
February 17, 2009
LG KU990 “Viewty” Specifications
February 10, 2009
General 2G Network: GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G Network: HSDPA 2100
Announced: 2007, August
Status: Available. Released 2007, October
Size: 103.5 x 54.4 x 14.8 mm
Weight 112 g
Display Type: TFT touchscreen, 256K colors
Size: 240 x 400 pixels, 3.0 inches
- Flash UI
- Downloadable wallpapers
Ringtones: Polyphonic (40 channels), MP3
Customization: Composer, Download
Vibration: Yes
Memory Phonebook: 500 entries, Photocall
Call records: 40 dialed, 40 received, 40 missed calls
Card slot: microSD (TransFlash), up to 2GB
- 100 MB shared memory
Data: GPRS Class 10 (4+1/3+2 slots), 32 – 48 kbps
HSCSD: No
EDGE: Yes
3G: HSDPA, 3.6 Mbps
WLAN: No
Bluetooth: Yes, v1.2 with A2DP
Infrared port: No
USB: Yes, v2.0
Features:
Messaging: SMS, EMS, MMS, Email
Browser: WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML
Games: Yes
Colors: Black, Dark Silver, Purple, Pink, Hot Red
Camera: 5 MP, 2592х1944 pixels, autofocus, video(VGA 30fps, QVGA up to 120fps), strobe flash; secondary VGA videocall camera
- Java MIDP 2.0
- MP3/MPEG4/WMV/AAC/DivX player
- FM radio with RDS
- Organiser
- Document viewer (DOC, XLS, PDF)
- Voice memo
- Built-in handsfree
- T9
Battery: Standard battery, Li-Ion 1000 mAh
Stand-by: Up to 430 h
Talk time: Up to 4 h
LG KU990 “Viewty” Public Firmware Downloads
February 10, 2009
V10a OPEN EU Unbranded V10a-nov-05-2007-opn-eu Download download
(Flashable in Emergancy Mode and Gang Image Mode)
- Filelist
KU990-MEDIA-V10a-NOV-05-2007-OPN-EU.bin
KU990-MODULE-V10a-NOV-05-2007-OPN-EU.bin
amss_rom.mbn
booting_logo.flb
KU990_Rev1.0_V05_070828.qcn
oemsbl.mbn
oemsblhd.mbn
pbl.mbn
qcsblhd_cfgdata.mbn
amss.mbn
amsshd.mbn
KU990_Rev1.0_V05_070828.nv2
NPRG6280.hex
oemsbl_rom.mbn
partition.mbn
qcsbl.mbn
V10g OPEN EU Unbranded v10g-jul-08-2008-opn-eu download
(Flashable in Gang Image Mode Only)
- Filelist
ku990-dz-v10g-jul-08-2008-opn-eu.dz
LG KU990 “Viewty” Operating System Filestructure Explorer (EFS MEDIA BUILDER BY AKOM1676)
February 10, 2009
The EFS Media Builder by AKOM1976 can be used to browse the filestructure, upload and download from the phone as well as backup and restore the phones NV.
EFS Media Builder by AKOM1976 download
DO NOT RENAME OR DELETE ANYTHING UNLESS YOU KNOW EXACTY WHAT YOU ARE DOING. CHANGING THE NAME OR REMOVING FILES WILL RESULT IN YOUR PHONE BECOMING UNUSABLE (ASLO KNOWN AS BRICKED e.g. my phone is bricked)
