Spy regs used against dogs, litterbugs
Local councils are using snooping laws - the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act - to follow dog walkers suspected of letting their dogs crap on public land and people suspected of littering. RIPA is meant to control how investigating bodies like the police and secret services can snoop on citizens' communications and movements. But the Press Association has found that 46 councils used the legislation 1,343 times against residents. Derby City Council, Bolton, Gateshead and Hartlepool all used RIPA powers to snoop on dog fouling, and Bolton used powers under the Act to investigate littering. <snip> Lobby group Privacy International said it was time for a proper review of the laws. It also questioned the cost of a local council running such a snooping operation against relatively minor offences. <snip> http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/04/28/ripa_council_dog_fouling/
Local councils are using snooping laws - the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act - to follow dog walkers suspected of letting their dogs crap on public land and people suspected of littering. RIPA is meant to control how investigating bodies like the police and secret services can snoop on citizens' communications and movements. But the Press Association has found that 46 councils used the legislation 1,343 times against residents. Derby City Council, Bolton, Gateshead and Hartlepool all used RIPA powers to snoop on dog fouling, and Bolton used powers under the Act to investigate littering. <snip> Lobby group Privacy International said it was time for a proper review of the laws. It also questioned the cost of a local council running such a snooping operation against relatively minor offences. <snip> http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/04/28/ripa_council_dog_fouling/