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By silicon.com, 15 December 1998 16:28

NEWS UK Web pressure group, Stand, has claimed a victory in its 'Adopt an MP' campaign, with over two-thirds of MPs being lobbied by email. The forthcoming ecommerce Bill, due to be introduced by the UK government before Christmas, plans to make users of the government's recommended ecommerce systems hand over their details to a trusted third party. The campaign recruits users to "adopt" their MP electronically, then lobby them to reject the proposals. Stand says the bill would allow police to monitor communications at will without authorisation from the Home Office. It also claims it is a futile gesture, as hackers and terrorists can develop their own encryption, and that it will cost businesses thousands of pounds. Stand spokesman, Tom Loosemore said: "Business people are really unhappy about this. Not only will they have to pay to set the technology up, it leaves them open to criminals and corporate espionage - if an encryption key is given out to the police it becomes easier to obtain." Bill Thompson, an adviser to the Labour government, said the problem facing the campaigners is ignorance from MPs. "For most MPs, the issue isn't important enough at the moment," he said. But Andrew Tucker, policy advisor to the Liberal Democrats, said the campaign's efforts may be futile: "It's all very well educating an MP, but if the government orders a three-line whip, their efforts will be wasted. Even if terrorists can develop strong encryption outside the law, the government wants to be perceived to be protecting the public." The DTI said it will consult before making a decision on encryption, and insisted that the government is committed to security. The campaign can be reached at www.stand.org.uk.