The government’s arguments for justifying the mass monitoring of the internet are “unconvincing” and based on exploiting “loopholes” in legislation, the former chief surveillance inspector has said.Sam Lincoln, who served for seven years as the head of the Office of Surveillance Commissioners, said the revelations by Edward Snowden had damaged public confidence, and security establishment arguments were not being accepted by sections of the public.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/18/government-surveillance-watchdog-loopholes