Before the UK's online safety bill enters its final stages in the House of Lords on September 6, which could see the so-called “espionage clause” become law this year, Rasha Abdul Rahim, director of Amnesty Technology, said:

“Clause 122, known as the 'espionage clause,' could force the private sector to carry out mass surveillance of private digital communications. It would leave everyone in the UK – including human rights organizations and activists – vulnerable to attacks from malicious hackers and targeted surveillance campaigns. It also sets a dangerous precedent.

It remains undeniably true that it is not possible to create a technological system that can scan the content of private electronic communications while preserving the right to privacy.

Rasha Abdul Rahim, Amnesty International

“It remains undeniably true that it is not possible to create a technological system that can scan the content of private electronic communications while preserving the right to privacy.

“Encryption is a crucial enabler of the rights to privacy and freedom of expression, and also has a significant impact on other human rights. “UK lawmakers must urgently address Clause 122 and ensure the Online Safety Bill upholds the right to privacy before it becomes law.”

Background

He Online Safety Bill It is expected to become law later this year. The UK Government's stated aim is to make the UK “the safest place in the world to be online” by introducing obligations on how big tech companies must design, operate and moderate their platforms.

Clause 122, however, allows scanning of private messages and empowers the UK Office of Communications (Ofcom) to issue notices to messaging service providers, requiring them to develop and deploy software that will scan phones for prohibited content. The clause was added in September 2022.