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Government smuggles welfare surveillance powers into data protection Bill, campaigners warn
[Lianhao Qu / Creative Commons]

CAMPAIGNERS have accused the government of slipping amendments into the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill that grant welfare surveillance powers.

The amendments will enable the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to spy on the bank accounts of anyone receiving benefits, according to the Open Rights Group.

The targets could include the 12.6 million people on the state pension, as well as those who claim child benefit, universal credit and disability living allowance.

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