Snoopers' charter slammed by Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee

Draft Investigatory Powers Bill riddled with problems - new draft expected 'by the end of February'. Rinse/repeat

The Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament's report into the government's draft Investigatory Powers Bill has been published today - and it isn't entirely complimentary

The Report implies that it has so many faults that Home Secretary Theresa May ought to withdraw and start again (PDF). However, the Bill in various different forms has been to-ing and fro-ing between the Home Office and Parliament so many times over the past decade it is unlikely that the government will heed the suggestion.

The ISC listed plenty of concerns. It would like to see "class bulk personal dataset warrants" removed from the documents, and baulks at the confused definitions of "communications" data, which it describes as "currently inconsistent and confusing".

The tech sector - not just in the UK but globally - has also been highly critical of the Bill, some warning that it will put off investment and drive away entrepreneurs.

TechUK, which represents local industry, has called for more clarity, which is a regular theme of discussions on the subject. "Today's report from the ISC again makes it clear that the bill lacks clarity on fundamental issues, such as core definitions of key terms, encryption and equipment interference," said Antony Walker, deputy CEO of TechUK.

He continued: "Our members are unsure exactly what is meant by 'Internet Connection Records', how they will be gathered, stored and accessed. This kind of detail is crucial to understanding the impact of the proposed Bill."

More obviously opposed is Open Rights Group executive director Jim Killock, who has long opposed the Bill in all its forms. He agreed with TechUK on the clarity question and with the ISC's suggestion that the Bill looks a bit rushed.

"There have been suggestions that a new version of the Bill will be published by the end of February. The Home Office needs a lot longer than two weeks to redraft the bill. Theresa May must ensure that the ISC's very serious and considered demands are dealt with in full," he said.

"Rushing through legislation has to stop. It's time for a proper debate about whether bulk surveillance powers are acceptable in a democracy like the UK."

Separately, Adrian Kennard, owner of internet service provider Andrews & Arnolds, has suggested that some of the provisions requiring ISPs of all sizes to store vast amounts of user data could end up bankrupting smaller providers if they are required to cover all the costs of doing so.