I can hear you!

Should we be concerned about the so-called "Snoopers' Charter" and the revelation that we're making use of American technology which scours the Internet for suspicious communications?  Well, yes and no.  The security services have traditionally had the power - under the authority of a warrant - to intercept and read mail, listen to 'phone calls and bug properties, and it could be argued that what is now being sought is simply upgrading those powers to cope with modern technology.  So why do we feel uncomfortable with it?  One answer I think is social networking.  It's a relatively modern phenomenon but the sort of casual and informal chat that used to go on over the garden fence or down the pub and was essentially private, now tends to be done on Facebook, Twitter and the like and is there for all to see. And then there's the question of the authority under which this is done - the American data-gathering may be legal under American law, but is it under ours? Our protection always was that before we could be snooped on, the authorities had to go before a judge and convince him to issue a warrant, but what's the position now?  So like I say, yes and no.