UK Tries to Gain Access to all Private Conversations

In next month's Queen's Speech, the British will announce plans to permit authorities the ability to monitor every phone call, email, social network comment, or any other form of electronic communication made within their country.  Currently this information is only attainable through a court order and can be used to help convict criminals if there is just cause.  If this new policy were to be approved, then everybody's privacy will be jeopardized, not just criminals.  According to this article on foxnews.com, Prime Minister David Cameron claims that with the modern technological changes in communication, the country must develop new strategies and methods of tracking down criminals and bringing them to justice.  This proposal would only target those known to have been involved in criminal activity.  Only general information will be traceable, such as phone numbers used in a conversation, who sent who an email, or how long phone calls were carried on.  According to the government, no content of calls or messages would be monitored without a court order.  The thing about this is as soon as they have the power and ability to track this information, what will stop them from doing so?  How easy is it to deem someone to be a criminal or to be affiliated with some sort of criminal activity.  This makes it nearly impossible for any citizen to feel comfortable when using these forms of communication.  In this article I read on google, UK Home Secretary Theresa May said that "ordinary people" had nothing to fear when it comes to this potential legislation, but critics have been quick to point out that anyone can be accused of having some kind of connection to criminal activity and their personal lives will then be easily scrutinized by the authorities.  In another article on abcnews.com, a Home Office spokesman claims that "It's not about the content.  It's vital that police and intelligence services are able to obtain communications data in certain circumstances to investigate serious crime and terrorism and to protect the public".  But along with so many other British lawmakers, conservative David Davis states that "this is not focusing on terrorists or criminals, it is absolutely everybody".  The thought of our government getting handed the right to eavesdrop on every single conversation we have is frightening.  If this legislation goes through in the U.K. then I would not be surprised to see people in Washington trying to push for the same kind of control.  It will be interesting to see how this unfolds over the next couple of months, but based on the quick opposition, I do not expect this law will be placed into effect any time soon.