Howard acts to protect confidential information
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.(First Edition)
A NEW offence of obtaining confidential information by deception is to be introduced to restrain commercial surveillance and industrial espionage, writes Donald Macintyre.
Michael Howard, the Home Secretary, has decided to amend the law in order to prevent investigation agencies posing as bona fide individuals to secure private details like personal telephone calls, credit card accounts and arrears on household and mortgage bills.
The abuse was highlighted after newspaper investigations showed the ease with which such details could be obtained after the publication of details of the credit card account of Norman Lamont, the former Chancellor. There were also complaints in the House of Lords last month that peers had been circulated by a company called ACT Investigations Group which offered to provide such details for payment.
Ministers assume that in many cases an investigator obtaining such information - which may also include commercial secrets like contract prices and other details - does so by posing as someone else. Banks, for example, may only require an account holder's address to establish that a request is authentic.
The commitment to legislate arises because ministers accept that there is a loophole under which it can be legal to obtain information by posing as someone else.
No date has been fixed for the new measure.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments