MPs are challenging the UK’s emergency data surveillance powers in court

Two British MPs are challenging the country’s emergency surveillance laws, which were fast-tracked by the previous government last summer.

The Data Retention and Investigatory Powers Act allows intelligence agencies to gather phone and internet communications data. It was passed, with extremely limited time for debate, in three days last July.

The process of passing the law was sped up after the European Court of Justice ruled existing powers illegal.

Now David Davis (Conservative) and Tom Watson (Labour) are taking a case to the High Court, arguing that the legislation is incompatible with human rights law, was rushed and lacks adequate safeguards.

Last month, the new Conservative government used the Queen’s Speech to announce plans for even more wide-ranging surveillance powers.

➤ Emergency surveillance law faces legal challenge by MPs [BBC News]

Read next: The UK government wants more powers to spy on how you use the internet

Image credit: GCHQ