Legal challenge to ‘unjustified’ IPA

A human rights group has launched a legal challenge against new surveillance powers it describes as “an unprecedented, unjustified assault” on personal freedom. Liberty plans to take the Government to court over the bulk data retention measures contained within the Investigatory Powers Act (IPA), which passed into law in November. The organisation has launched a crowdfunding appeal to finance its High Court judicial appeal and has already reached its £10,000 target. Liberty director Martha Spurrier said: “Last year, this government exploited fear and distraction to quietly create the most extreme surveillance regime of any democracy in history. “Hundreds of thousands of people have since called for this act’s repeal because they see it for what it is – an unprecedented, unjustified assault on our freedom.” Last month the European Court of Justice struck a blow to the IPA when it ruled that its “general and indiscriminate” collection of data is illegal. The Court concluded that while targeted retention can be justified in serious crime cases, the IPA’s reach is unjustifiable in a democratic society. The Home Office vowed to challenge the ruling in the Court of Appeal. Responding to Liberty’s appeal, Security Minister Ben Wallace said the IPA is a crucial tool for security and intelligence agencies and promised to “vigorously defend” it. He added: “The Investigatory Powers Act protects both our privacy and our security. “Far from being passed quietly, the Act underwent unprecedented Parliamentary scrutiny before becoming law. “It was also the result of three independent reports, all of which concluded a new law was needed. The Act was passed with cross party support and is the will of Parliament.”