Government

Explainer

How 'Cloud Extraction' tools can be used at a protest

This guide explains how the police can access data to your Cloud-based services and the apps that store data in there, such as Slack, Telegram and WhatsApp. (UK edition)

Explainer

How mobile phone extraction can be used at a protest

If the police seize your phone during a protest, they can use mobile phone extraction tools to gather data from it (UK edition).

News & Analysis

The Hostile Environment is incompatible with public health: PI joins the Vaccine For All campaign

PI joins more than 140 UK migrants’ rights charities, faith groups, local authorities, health institutions and trade unions in a call to the Department of Health calling for an end to Hostile Environment immigration policies in the NHS so that everyone can access the vaccine without fear.

Long Read

Q&A: EU's top court rules that UK, French and Belgian mass surveillance regimes must respect privacy

The Court of Justice of the European Union issued judgments in three cases in the UK, France and Belgium. We answer some of the main questions.

Video

Cassetteboy vs Boris vs Covid

This satirical video is a critique of the UK government's reliance on 'technological solutionism' in the fight against Coronavirus and increasingly across public services more widely, and their willingness to then scapegoat ‘mutant algorithms’ when their hopes for technological panaceas inevitably fail.

Press release

algorithm shtick quote from Casseteboy video

Press release: Cassetteboy and Privacy International launch a new ‘mashup’ video, skewering the UK Government’s technological response to the public health crisis

Privacy International today launch a specially commissioned video by Cassetteboy, about the UK government’s technological hubris in response to the Coronavirus crisis.

Video

Podcast: Judgement Day

The European Union's top court rules that UK, French and Belgian mass surveillance regimes must respect privacy. But what does that mean for governments' data collection schemes? And what does it take to fight a legal battle lasting years?

Press release

Towers of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU)

Press release: Ruling by EU’s highest court finds that UK, French and Belgian mass surveillance regimes must respect privacy, even in the context of national security

Today the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled that the UK, French and Belgian bulk data collection or retention regimes (often referred to as ‘mass surveillance’) must be brought within EU law.

Press release

Press release: New law sets no limits on MI5 powers to authorise crimes

A joint press release from Privacy International, Reprieve, CAJ, and the Pat Finucane Centre. Agents of MI5 and other Government bodies could be legally authorised to commit crimes under new legislation introduced today. There appear to be no express limits in the legislation on the types of crime

Long Read

The Corona Contracts: Public-Private Partnerships and the Need for Transparency

No Tech For Tyrants, a UK grassroots organisation, is explaining Palantir's involvement with the UK government, including their partnership with the NHS. They explore the concerns public-private partnerships between Palantir and governments raise , and what this means for our rights.

Case Study

King’s Cross has been watching you - and the police helped

Police forces in the UK started trialing facial recognition technology in public events a few years ago, but are taking a step further in the questionable use of this extremely intrusive technology.

Long Read

person dressed as police officer greeting neighbour

One Ring to watch them all

Surveillance partnerships between Amazon Ring and law-enforcement around the world create an interconnected surveillance network that poses a serious threat to our privacy and other freedoms.

Explainer

A FOI guide (by people who file FOI requests)

Top tips on how to Freedom of Information requests from people who actually file FOI requests!

A group of BodaBoda drivers wait for customers outside a shop in Kampala

Case Study

Huawei infiltration in Uganda

Unwanted Witness, our partner organisation based in Uganda, explore critical questions around Huawei's surveillance dealings with the Ugandan government raise. While Huawei's relationship with the government raises concerns for human rights, many of these concerns remain unaddressed.

People milling around an overcast Belgrade

Case Study

“Thousands of Cameras” - a citizen response to mass biometric surveillance

SHARE, an organisation based in Belgrade, are investigating Huawei's dealings with the Serbian government. In this case study, they explain what obstacles they faced and how they used public action to overcome them.

Press release

Smart phone with 'closed' label on screen

Press release: Critical ICO report says the Police must stop taking data from victims' phones without better safeguards

A new ICO report, which comes as a result of a complaint PI made in 2018, criticises the UK Police for the way in which they are taking data from people's phones, including the victims of crimes. The report calls for reforms and safeguards so that people's data and privacy is protected from unnecessarily intrusive practices.