Response to Home Office Consultation on Establishing a UK Privacy and Civil Liberties Board

The Center for Democracy & Technology respectfully submits the following comments to the Home Office in response its request for views regarding the creation of a Privacy and Civil Liberties Board (‘PCLB’) to provide advice and assistance to the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation as he carries out his statutory role.

We believe a board of this nature could potentially be effective, but only if it 1) is fully independent of the entities whose activities it reviews, 2) is a complementary piece of a thorough and robust oversight system, 3) is fully empowered to obtain all necessary information, 4) is transparent in its activities and findings, 5) has a broad mandate that complements and supports the Independent Reviewer’s, 6) is adequately funded and staffed, and 7) consists of members with credibility and expertise.