But there are ways around it. Sep 1999 Human rights groups say government interception of email contravenes human rights law. Government argues that in some cases, it has the right to intrude. Straw petitioned on commerce bill controversy - Mon, 27th Sep 1999 Encryption pranksters target Home Secretary, with a serious purpose. The police say access to email and Net traffic is necessary in the fight against crime.
Civil libertarians say, leave the Internet alone.
The government is to set up a specialist snoop unit that targets paedophiles, drug barons and other criminals using the Net, according to reports. Sure, it's a little insecure. But users are unlikely to stop using Web-based email, experts say. Aug 1999 A US government proposal would make it easier for the law to break into people's computers. Privacy-rights groups call it KGB tactics.