UK Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said that the Government’s Draft Communications Data Bill, dubbed snooper’s charter, will not become law.
The bill could give the government powers to monitor internet and communication data across the UK.
Clegg told LBC radio, "The idea that government will pass a law which means that there’d be a record kept of every website you visit, who you communicate with on social media sites, that’s not going happen."
"I’m afraid I think that is not either necessary, workable, nor proportionate, so it’s not going to happen," he said.
In May 2012, the UK government released ‘snooper’s charter’ details and said that the content of emails, text messages and so on would not be accessed without a warrant.
Those who were in support of such law claimed that it will give them power to monitor online activities to prevent militants and crooks to use platforms like Facebook and Skype.
As per the plans, the government wants to be able to access information such as what websites people have visited, including social networks such as Facebook and Twitter, and who they have interacted with online as well as mobile phone and text message information.
The government claimed the new legislation is simply an update of existing laws to reflect the changing ways people communicate.
In September last year, Washington-based NGO Freedom House’s Freedom on the Net 2012 report revealed that the UK has poor record on internet freedom.
According to the report, the UK was placed eighth in terms of internet freedom, which includes access to the internet and free expression.
