[madaxe_again]

That's the very public stance they're taking in the UK. Cameron went on TV to decry encryption after hebdo, describing it as a tool used only by terrorists, pederasts, and hackers, and he called for an outright ban - until some advisor probably, not for the first time, told him he's a fucking idiot.

[robmcm]

I wish I could upvote that more.

It's interesting that a few of the political parties are adding digital rights to their manifestos. http://www.libdems.org.uk/protecting-your-data-online-with-a...

Key measures in the Liberal Democrat Digital Rights Bill include:

- Prison sentences for companies conducting large-scale data theft and illegally selling on personal data

- Beefed up powers for the Information Commissioner to fine and enforce disciplinary action on government bodies if they breach data protection laws

- Legal rights to compensation for consumers when companies make people sign up online to deliberately misleading and illegible terms & conditions

- Code of Practice for online services who would by law have to correct information about members of the public where it is inaccurate or defamatory

- Enshrining in law the responsibility of government to defend the free press, including the rights of journalists and citizen journalists to express their views freely online

- Prevent government from watering down cyber-security and encryption measures used by British business

[mauricemir]

That will last as long as the no increase in student tuition fees did.

For non UK types the Lib Dems (junior partner in the coalition) tend to try and play both sides of the fence ie pitch progressive ideas to Labour supporters and conservative (traditional 18th century Liberal ideas to tory's)

[tomjen3]

The UK has long been especially stupid regarding limiting freedom. The rip acts are, if memory servers, older than the patriot act.