The United Kingdom today introduced a plan to combat foreign malicious activity with a bill that will give security and law enforcement new powers to respond to the growing threat.
The bill would overhaul laws to meet modern needs, update old official secrets acts and bring those laws up to date with the threats of the cyberwar era, some of which date back hundreds of years.
Britain’s chief of intelligence said that in addition to seeking to intervene in politics, Communist China and Russia also want to steal trade secrets and smart property. 2018 Russian agents are accused of poisoning former Russian spy Sergei Skripal with a nerve agent in Britain.
Britain will also amend its treason laws to crack down on state-sponsored espionage, according to a briefing document accompanying Queen Elizabeth II’s “Queen’s Speech” setting out her priorities for the future.
We are also considering whether to criminalize other harmful activities by or on behalf of the state, including amending treason laws,” the briefing document said.
A Foreign Influence Registration Scheme will also be enacted to help combat espionage, foreign interference and to provide better protection for scientific research.
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