GCHQ wants to read all UK texts and emails

GCHQ bosses want to monitor every email and text message sent in Britain, and keep records of individuals' internet use.
But the plans have been questioned by Cheltenham community leaders, who believe they would be a massive infringement of human rights.
According to reports, the Government's surveillance centre, based at the 'doughnut' building in Benhall, has already been given up to £1 billion to fund the first stage of what would be the country's biggest ever surveillance system.
Known as the Interception Modernisation Programme, the scheme would enable GCHQ, MI5 and MI6 personnel, and also police, to access complete information on every text, email and visit to a website made in this country.
It is understood the first stage would see hundreds of secret probes monitoring customers live on internet and mobile phone providers.
GCHQ officials, backed by MI6, have reportedly been attempting to persuade Whitehall to fund the project to its completion, at a potential cost of up to £12 billion.
More details are thought to be included in next month's Queen's speech although, the Home Office has stressed no formal decision had been taken.
Conservative councillor Jacky Fletcher, Cheltenham borough member for Benhall and The Reddings, said: "This would be a massive infringement of human rights.
"I am all in favour of policing and I believe there do need to be special measures in place to track terror suspects.
"But those measures already exist. You can get court orders to track messages and other things for limited periods of time.
"I genuinely believe that if you have nothing to hide you have nothing to fear, but I would like to know why they need to read and store all of these things.
"If this is being considered, I would hope that would be the same question everyone in the world needs answering."
It is understood MI5 can currently conduct limited email and website intercepts but only under specific warrants from the Home Office.
Those in favour believe the measures are vital to track the so-called "friendship trees" in which separate terror cells make links and communicate with one another. However, many within the Treasury and Cabinet Office fear its cost and believe it could infringe human rights.
There are 18 million broadband internet connections in the UK, while 57 billion texts and three billion emails are sent each year.
Although they can be stored in temporary databases, MI5 claims finding specific information can be like looking for a needle in a haystack – and GCHQ hopes the Interception Modernisation Programme is the answer.