The UK's Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Act received royal assent, broadening the government's surveillance powers by allowing collection of bulk communications data, raising concerns about mass surveillance and privacy violations. The Act potentially enables harvesting millions of facial images and social media posts, along with enhanced internet connection record gathering. Critics argue the law was rushed through, lowering oversight thresholds and granting a 'secret veto' on security updates, which could hinder security tool development
Industry opposition warns that the law impedes innovation, security efforts, and introduces systemic vulnerabilities, ultimately weakening national security and potentially driving tech talent away. The law has parallels with US surveillance expansion under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, sparking debates on overreach, privacy, and the need for oversight to maintain trust and human rights standards in digital environments.https://www.csoonline.com/article/2096244/uks-revamped-surveillance-rules-become-law-despite-industry-opposition.html