Littler Brother: Tube wi-fi firm climbs down on snooper's charter that would have allowed them to read your emails

 
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Craig Woodhouse11 June 2012

The company providing wi-fi on the Underground has has been forced to make changes after the Standard highlighted fears it could create “Big Brother on the Tube”.

Virgin Media took action amid concern that the original wording gave the firm the right to snoop on passengers’ emails and web use.

The passage which sparked concerns read: “With your permission, we may monitor email and internet communications, including without limitation, any content or material transmitted over the services.”

Virgin Media confirmed using the service would be taken as giving permission, sparking anger among MPs from all three main parties.

Robert Halfon, Tory MP for Harlow, said: “This is incredibly disturbing. It looks like a surveillance society is being created on the Underground. The internet should be about access for all, not creating Big Brother on the Tube.”

After the Standard highlighted the concerns, Virgin Media changed the terms and conditions but insisted it was never planning to monitor individuals’ messages or internet habits.

It said the offending clause was only to allow it to comply with legal obligations such as blocking child porn sites but admitted the wording was too broad and acted to quickly to make a change.

Nick Pickles, director of privacy and civil liberties group Big Brother Watch, praised the firm for taking quick action.

“Clearly such broad terms and conditions were a cause for concern and I’m pleased Virgin have moved quickly to address this serious privacy issue,” he said.

“The public should be able to use WiFi services without fear of their internet use and emails being monitored.”

WiFi was turned on at several stations including King’s Cross, Oxford Circus and Victoria last week. By the end of July, 80 stations will have internet access.

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