Activists defending free speech online say they will push for changes to the controversial computer crime law following an uproar over its data retention requirement.
Arthit Suriyawongkul, coordinator of Thai Netizen, said the group will mobilise support for the law amendment.
He said the data retention requirement under Section 26 of the Computer Crime Act is being targeted for revision as one of several elements that stifle civil rights.
Digital Economy and Society Minister Buddhipongse Punnakanta on Tuesday told owners of coffee shops to hand over their customers' WiFi browsing histories as part of the ministry's campaign against fake news.
The ministry said the data would be used by its anti-fake-news centre to monitor and investigate people who share inappropriate information online.
Critics say the move is more proof that legislation is being abused by security agencies to target political dissent and hamper civil rights, not computer crime.
"This law is designed to catch bad people, but it won't be able to do that because criminals know how to acquire personal data of others and use it to access the internet and do bad things," Arthit said.
"Does the government really think they can catch bad people with this? Or is it just a way to threaten people with the knowledge that they are being watched?" he said.
Sutawan Chanprasert, coordinator of internet researcher Digital Reach, said compliance with the data retention requirement came with a cost, and the measure is placing a burden on business operators who may not know how to safely store data.
"The order [to keep log files] is broad and its purpose has not been explained, except that the data is for monitoring. The measure is based on security concerns and has no regard for privacy rights," she said.
Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said the data retention requirement is not a violation of privacy and what the authorities are asking for is the public's cooperation.
