Chelmsford Lib Dem launches "It's MY data"

1.03.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 31st Mar 2009

Chelmsford Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate Stephen Robinson, has launched his "It's MY data - not the government's" campaign. [See www.ourcampaign.org.uk/itsMYdata ] The Lib Dems are opposing plans for the government to collect all our text messages, emails, Facebook and My Space messages.

Said Stephen Robinson, "The Labour Government has gone completely power mad. They already want a massive database of all your personal details and to collect up your DNA. Now they want all your emails, texts and voicemail messages.

"All this will do is put OUR money into the hands of computer companies. It will not make us any safer. In fact, their past track record shows that they cannot be trusted with our personal data and will quite possibly lose the information.

This campaign follows hot on the heels of the national Liberal Democrats new Freedom Bill. This details how the party plans to roll back the authoritarian laws passed by both Labour and Conservative governments which have undermined civil liberties.

Said Mr Robinson, "I am pleased that my Lib Dem colleagues in Parliament are proposing this freedom bill which will go a long way to restoring our rightful freedoms."

The 20 measures contained in the draft legislation will:

· Cut the maximum pre-charge detention period from 28 to 14 days

· Abolish the veto in the Freedom of Information Act that allows ministers to keep information secret

· Scrap the ID card scheme

· Remove all innocent people from the DNA database, except for those tried for a violent or sexual offence

· Stop councils and others snooping by restricting the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) to serious and terrorist offences.

· Regulate CCTV to protect privacy following a Royal Commission on the use of cameras

Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Huhne MP said: "With one small change after another over the last 20 years, the cumulative loss of civil liberties is huge."

A website is being launched alongside the draft Bill to encourage consultation and allow members of the public to suggest measures that should be included in it. See www.freedom.libdems.org.uk

A note explaining which measures the Bill will repeal is at http://freedom.libdems.org.uk/the-freedom-bill/

A copy of the Freedom Bill is at http://is.gd/lFTz