Tech companies in the US will have to share communications data with UK intelligence agencies.
According to the Financial Times, a new proposed deal to help counteract terrorism and serious crime could result in greater collaboration between parties in the UK and the US.
Existing US law means technology companies are not legally required to hand over user data to foreign governments if this is kept and stored on home ground unless there is a “threat to life” present.
Washington and London have reportedly drawn up an agreement that would seek to ease the flow of data-sharing between the US and the UK.
“Since 2015, the UK has been working with the US government, and representatives from US technology companies, on a proposed UK-US bilateral data access agreement that would allow companies in one country to comply with lawful orders for electronic communications from the other,” the UK Home Office told the FT.
“This agreement would help law enforcement and security agencies protect the public through accessing data stored or controlled by companies in each others’ countries in support of serious crime and terrorism investigations, and would include strong safeguards and maintain rigorous privacy protections for citizens.”
The Home Office went on to say that it hoped the deal could be struck by the end of the year but noted this depended on “changes to the relevant US domestic legislation”.
This agreement comes amid increasing government calls to urge technology companies to take on a more hands-on approach to combat online extremism.