If this goes through then i can't see the government being able to decrypt 128bit, or more, encryption in REAL TIME. This is scary stuff when they say that this is for our protections as this is wide open to abuse. I think this also relates to BT Webwise/Phorm as well.

David Sars, exeter, UK

When the Internet was in early phase people were excited about getting freedom of expression and using it creatively. But it has gone badly wrong in lots of ways. Now it is getting very scary..
Already we are feeling bit scared to protest.

Carol Cameron, London, UK

New Labour police state!

Robert, Hull, UK

New Labour - New Stasi. Work on that basis, and you will always know what they are up to.

Jeremy Poynton, Frome, England

The people have opinions but do not know the time, time to wake up and research. These laws are being put in place by the same people who carried out false flag terror operations, it is easy to see if you do your own investigation and research, there agenda is world goverement, the enemy is you.

William, Hampshire,

Just vote them out. They've taxed us to hell and back, waste the money on committees and supporting criminals political correctness at the expense of the rights of the law abiders and now they want to monitor everything we do, this way past a joke. Gordon & Co control freaks?? Proved beyond doubt.

Phil A, Headley, UK

Aren't we a naive lot.Search engines have already provided data on you to the FBI and an agreement was signed by China and us
last dec.Don't believe me?Go to angryharry-activism-inquisition.
Dissent and criticism will not be tolerated.

michael savell, eastbourne, UK

Encryption
Encryption
Encryption

Lucy, London,

Who decides who the "good guys" are? Suppose something as benign as campaigning for the party not in power makes you a "bad guy," since the party in power gets to make all the rules? Remember Richard Nixon and his Enemies List?

Read "The Librarian," 2004 novel by Larry Beinhart. It's scary.

RF Mezzy, Hamden, CT, USA

Repressive laws - not to mention the "fear factor" of having something unpoliticaly correct on one's computer scrutinised - and how many bona fide terrorists have been arrested across the entire western world ? A handfull ! The terrorists best allies are our governments - pathetic & sinister !

Dominic Whitehead, Avignon, France

This is just an updated expression of the old Leftist slogan "Better Red than dead" used to try get us to accept communism. The fear now used is not of Soviet missiles but of "home-grown terrorism" from an alien and incompatible culture that nu-Labour deliberately allowed to colonize this country.

Robert, Oxford, UK

This sounds scarily like an implementation in the lead up to the introduction of the New World Order. David Icke has been talking about this sort of things for years but everyone wrote him off as mad.

Mary, Bedford,

EU oppression. I want a referendum on how I want to be governed.

steve tea, manchester, Cheshire

It clearly infringes on everyone's right to privacy. What will those control freaks devise next - a scheme by which everyone's mail will be opened and logged, or will they just demand that the populace is microchipped and fitted with tracking devices "to prevent crime"?

Paul C. Dickie, Stockport, UK

Another avenue for credit card details to end up in the wrong hands.

steve tea, manchester, cheshire

I would be more than happy to jack in the internet and email if they start doing that.
I would read more books, write letters to people and I wouldn't miss the internet, it's only a habit...
I don't need to be part of the Owellian State!

caroline, London, UK

George Orwell - aka Eric Arthur Blair - wrote "1984" as a political satire.

Antony Lynton Blair and his followers have used it as a blueprint for how they want Britain to be - a corrupt dystopia with an over-controlled populace, always cozying up to America and seeking greatness on its coat-tails.

Paul C. Dickie, Stockport, UK

I'm going to create as many E-mail accounts as I can and subscribe to as many mailing lists and spam services as possible.

Michael, Edinburgh,

whats so ironic about this is that we have hundreds of bbc reporters and broadcasters and newspaper journalists in China constantly going on about the country being run by communists and lack of freedom for the people whilst at the same time were having all our freedom taken away and being spied on

richard, grimsby, england

Such powers render the boundary between individual rights (to privacy,dignity,autonomy) and the working practices of public/private workers(acting in the public interest) practically transparent.Thus public confidence may be affected unless citizens are openly informed "our window's being scraped".

Mrs.Josephine Hyde-Hartley, Bacup, UK

Members of the public should be entitled to a copy of all information kept about them, similar to the reports credit reference agencies are required to provide.
If the information is misused, the miscreants should be dismissed from public office and substantial financial compensation paid !

Peter Hooper, Windsor, UK

The New World Order is allmost here !...and we all just stood like sheep and let it happen....

john, radstock, somerset

Here's a thought. Whenever you send an email, send copies to the Home Office (c/o Jacky/Jaqui/Jaki), and the the chief executives of your local and county councils. Save them having to intercept it.

Steve, Torrington,

A further move towards a police state. George Orwell simply got the date wrong.

John, Eastbourne, UK

How can they use the criminal acts of an absolute minority to rid the majority of their supposed civil liberty, I think emphasism must be placed on spying. There is definitely a correlation between current issues (i.e. climate change and terrorism) and the abuse of power.

Daniel, Woodstock, England

I firmly believe that within this century new borns will have a chip imbedded into them, just like our pets have, except ours will be in the name of anti terrorism. Sad fact is the morons mouthing this fact believe in the benifits, and we vote them into office to make these decisions.

Hugh , Nykoping, Sweden

This is nothing less than state oppression. We no longer live in a free society.

James, London, UK

It's like the records kept in Nazi Germany.

Bob, Kent, UK

No government has ever taken such invasive powers. I understand the need for some specific surveillance on terrorist grounds, but giving the powers to all and sundry is totally wrong. We have far to many clip board men poking their stupid noses into our affairs already.

Roger Paekes, Tunbridge Wells, uk

Under this institutionally corrupt nulabor cult, every citizen is deemed a potential enemy, and all laws designed to ensure our security are turned upon decent people. So paranoid is nulabor that it has effectivley declared war upon upon its people, in keeping with its policy of Control or Destroy.

martin, sheffield, uk

Here's an easy solution. Set up your e-mail to send a copy of everything you send and receive to the government (multiple departments). Should crash their system pretty quickly.!

Mike, UK,

Please, Prime Minister Putin, could you invade us and restore some form of democracy here?

Dave, Slough,

"Terrorism" was just the key they were all praying for - to be the start of the wedge. Now it`s any excuse - and you can hardly complain about "fighting crime" . Only a "criminal" would do that. But will the Tories change things back? Why doesn`t The Times ask them? It can only get worse.

Jim, Herts,

N. Morgan.

Good suggestion. I've long been an advocate of "Malicious Obedience" and the effect it has on the implementers of stupidity...they normally don't know what to do when it all comes crumbling around them.

cass, Alicante, Spain

"The good guy needs no fear" ... until the laws keep being democratics. What in case of serious crisis (like a second cold war between russia and us) for instance ???

What if it all goes in bad hands ? What if laws becomes freedom killers ? Such good guy before could be illegal afterward..

mat, Nimes, France

The criminals and terrorists will have nothing to worry about - they'll all have cloned ID cards, false identities and hacked email accounts to keep them safe.

Ian, London, UK

May we have a clear statement of policy from the opposition parties. Making disapproving noises is all very well but, if they were elected at the next general election, will they reverse this tactic and make the Stasi redundant - again?

Roy, Oxon,

So, the big brothers were here all the time, just slightly camouflaged as 'represenatives of the people'? Quote - "And they that rule in England in stately conclave met, Alas, alas for England, They have no graves as yet" G K Chesterton - Elegy in a Country Churchyard. Alas, alas for England.

S. Barraclough, Huddersfield, W. Yorkshire

only under Znulabour and its out-of-control. neo-fascist Civil Service would this be possible. we need a government who can root the baddies out of the Home Office where they find themselves in harmony withis ultra repressive goverment

peter c, devizes, wessex

not a squeak about this outrage on the BBC

peter c, devizes, wessex

Disgusting abuse of power.

Richard Augustine Murtagh, Birmingham,

First they came for the Communists,
- but I was not a communist so I did not speak out.
Then they came for the Socialists and the Trade Unionists,
- but I was neither, so I did not speak out.
Then they came for the Jews,
- but I was not a Jew so I did not speak out.
And then they came for me,

tim, London, England

Paul in Halifax ...
“Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves.”
William Pitt The Younger 1783
The PM in the 18th century was more forward thinking than our current rabble . Recession and regression , what a shambles.

Benzo, Nr Chelmsford,

Go to hell BIG BROTHER - I'm watching you !!!!

ian payne, walsall,

Im absolutely astounded that they are MAKING us pay £46 million in tax for the privilege of being spied on by our government, council and others, this is beyond a joke!

Not even gonna record the body of the email or the website we've visited and it'll cost 46 million but no money for cancer drugs

Andrew Towell, Hartlepool, England, UK

This is so so wrong.

The British way of life has gone; there is no freedom of speech, movement etc.. We are constantly monitored and our details are sold on to anyone who will pay.

"The chief Surveillance officer" - that just says it all!!

Chris, Shrewsbury,

Nothing this creepy control freak government does surprises me any more. Time and again they introduce some new assault on civil liberties, telling us it is for our own good and giving assurances that the new powers will not be used unnecessarily or abused.

Then guess what..... yet again

George, Durham,

No. No, no, no, NO!

Local Councils cannot be trusted, neither can government. Why do we have this ceaseless deluge of new laws that benefit no-one and cost the taxpayer more money?

I cannot wait until we have a public inquiry into NuLabour lunatic policymaking.

Paul, London,

Welcome to New Labours Iron Curtain Britain!
The sooner they are booted out of office the better.
Be very worried about a Government afraid of the people.

Stephen Holmes, Withington, UK

Given Dominic Grieve's comments does that mean that the Tories will be removing this "right to access" when Cameron wins the next General Election?

dave, london, uk

I've just bought myself a new fountain pen. The day of the email is finished as the Labour Party approaches their 1984 mode. Give up the web now.

Pete, Lincoln, England

Local authorities have already proved themselves untrustworthy as far as surveillance powers are concerned. They also have a very poor record in over reaction in the use of many powers already granted them. It will soon be the Chinese complaining about abuses of human rights in the UK.

mike gee, bournemouth, uk

Well I can clearly see the link between these activities and counter-terrorism...... we just need to heavily redefine and broaden the meaning of the word Terrorism. Are we all now terrorists, and to whom? this disgraceful, near destroyed Labour party?

Andy Iddon, London, UK

For some time they have told us about the threat to our way of life is the terrorist. But is it not more accurate to say that the greatest fear to our way of life is paranoid government.

Clive, Dartford, Kent

Thus proving the point that if you allow governemnt even the smallest concession, they will jam their foot in the door and use it to expand their power. This country now exists to serve it's government and it's ever growing tentacles. Have we forgotten that government serves us, it does not rule us!

ted, london , uk

AN EASY SOLUTION
I get something like 200 unwanted, unsolicited, spam emails a day. If this measure becomes law, I shall simply redirect my email to my local authority, NHS regional office etc rather than to my waste bin. If we all do likewise, I think it would soon be withdrawn.

Ian, Berwick, UK

Many of us said as each extension of government power occurred that the powers would be misused by government. police have misused anti-terrorism powers and now we see it again. This government is a bigger threat than terrorists and should be consigned to the sewer of history ASAP.

Neil Murphy, cromer,

What a pointless exercise. This will only lead to the harassment of innocent people with nothing to hide.

Anyone with an even slightly professional approach to hiding from this sort of surveillance will use proxies and tunnels to utterly deceive the watchers. It is a waste of time and money!

Damian, London, UK

The smart criminals will start using the post for communication again.

kevin, Lincoln, UK

£46 million to store the penis-extension spam emails I get and those that tell me to check my non-existent bank account (with my username and password.) Plus all those helpful emails I get to assist with an inheritance (from Nigeria), for twelve months?

Wow, what wonderful value for money!

Richard England, Leeds, UK

Have I missed the point somewhere ? It only looks as if they are telling us what they are going to be doing from now on rather than at the moment doing exactly the same thing but in secret. It makes me wonder what else they are doing now which wont be told to us for another year or so.

Steve Linbeck, Partington, Gtr Manchester

This is wrong, wrong, wrong and I object to this most vehemently.

Keith, Grantham,

Robert (India),

Congradulations on a wonderfully 19th Century comment!

Hitler murdered 9 million good people with nothing to hide; but only after they had volunteered details of their ethnicity to the state.

Are you are also still of the view that British justice is infalliable?

Paul, Halifax, England

Easy,they want to know what your doing - everyone should have a list of the email addy's of the relevant organisations & when you send a useless email cc it to every govt dept that may read it.
Flood the servers with useless mail & crash them repeatedly.
If they want our mails lets give it to them.

N Morgan, Stockport, UK

As usual, ridiculous proposals contrary to civil liberties and bearing the hallmarks of a big-brother state are being suggested to hide the fact that the police force is so increadibly inept. Is this England?

If these ludicrous suggestions come to fruition it will be worse than the Soviet Union.

Frank Crane, London,

George Orwell's "1984" is now to happen, in 2009 ?

This should be fun. The NHS IT system is a shambles, the HMRC 'loses' 25million personal files, the JIC leave Top Secret files on trains ... and Councils are expected to carry out surveillance of us all.

Pull the other leg, it plays "Dixie".

Peter Hartley, Guildford,

This is something I would expect from a government like China, not the UK. It's a complete invasion of privacy and apart from anything else, it's technologically unfeasible. The storage costs would be massive and the high-tech criminals it may be intended to catch would easily be able to negate it.

Sheila, Manchester, UK

Robert, India : "The good ...have nothing to hide."

Carrying a knife here could soon attract a jail sentence. In my Dad's day, everyone carried a swiss army knife. In America citizens have recently been encouraged to carry guns. Here all hand guns are illegal. So who are the "good guys"?

Connor, Bath,

Robert, the criminals will not use the Internet or will easily avoid detection with simple technological methods. In the meantime the bad guys in government or the council can abuse the data for political suppression or even criminal activity themselves. This is yet another step towards the end game

Ben, London, UK

oh wow, I'm used to this nonsense in the states, but now the UK too? Kiss your civil liberties goodbye - this kind of Big Brother surveillance is ridiculous. We may as well let the authorities go through or homes daily, too.

All in the name of national security, though, right?

eric, california, USA

This is a good idea. The good guys need not fear as they have nothing to hide.

Robert, Shillong, India

Why won't the government just pay me to put up an extension so I can house the thought police? Far cheaper than intercepting my ramblings on the t'interweb.

Dave, Preston, UK