Before allowing police and other bodies to tap into mobile
phones and internet records in the UK, a new independent watchdog has to be set
up, the Home Office has announced. It agreed to introduce new safeguards after the
European Court of Justice ruled that the 'snoopers’ charter' in its current form is
illegal. According to a fresh
consultation document, a new Office for Communications Data Authorisations will be introduced with the task to consider applications from the
police and other public bodies.