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MPs vote to approve controversial data retention bill

Controversial legislation in the Data Retention and Investigatory Powers Bill has cleared the Commons after completing all of its stages in one day and being agreed at third reading 449 to 33, a majority of 416.

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Liberty: New data laws 'snooping on everyone'

The director of campaign group Liberty has said that new data laws are not just for 'snooping on suspects' but will be used on everyone.

Shami Chakrabarti said: "The Government says it's only plugging loopholes but its existing blanket surveillance practice has been found unlawful.

Director of Liberty Shami Chakrabarti says new data laws would be 'snooping on everyone' Credit: Philip Toscano/PA Wire/Press Association Images

"We are told this is a paedophile and jihadi 'emergency', but the court judgment they seek to ignore was handed down over three months ago and this isn't snooping on suspects but on everyone.

"We are promised greater scrutiny and debate but not until 2016, as it seems that all three party leaders have done a deal in private. No privacy for us and no scrutiny for them. Will Clegg and Cameron's 'debate for the future' really comfort voters and companies today?"

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