Investigatory Powers Act 2016

2016 c. 25

An Act to make provision about the interception of communications, equipment interference and the acquisition and retention of communications data, bulk personal datasets and other information; to make provision about the treatment of material held as a result of such interception, equipment interference or acquisition or retention; to establish the Investigatory Powers Commissioner and other Judicial Commissioners and make provision about them and other oversight arrangements; to make further provision about investigatory powers and national security; to amend sections 3 and 5 of the Intelligence Services Act 1994; and for connected purposes.

Enacted[29th November 2016]

Be it enacted by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

Part 1 General privacy protections¶

Overview and general privacy duties¶

^I2401 Overview of Act¶

1 This Act sets out the extent to which certain investigatory powers may be used to interfere with privacy.

2 This Part imposes certain duties in relation to privacy and contains other protections for privacy.

3 These other protections include offences and penalties in relation to—

a the unlawful interception of communications, and

b the unlawful obtaining of communications data.

4 This Part also abolishes and restricts various general powers to obtain communications data and restricts the circumstances in which equipment interference, and certain requests about the interception of communications, can take place.

5 Further protections for privacy—

a can be found, in particular, in the regimes provided for by Parts 2 to 7 and in the oversight arrangements in Part 8, and

b also exist—

i by virtue of the Human Rights Act 1998,

ii in section 170 of the Data Protection Act 2018 (unlawful obtaining etc of personal data),

iii in section 48 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 (offence of interception or disclosure of messages),

iv in sections 1 to 3A of the Computer Misuse Act 1990 (computer misuse offences),

v in the common law offence of misconduct in public office, and

vi elsewhere in the law.

6 The regimes provided for by Parts 2 to 7B are as follows—

a Part 2 and Chapter 1 of Part 6 set out circumstances (including under a warrant) in which the interception of communications is lawful and make further provision about the interception of communications and the treatment of material obtained in connection with it,

b Part 3 and Chapter 2 of Part 6 set out circumstances in which the obtaining of communications data is lawful in pursuance of an authorisation or under a warrant and make further provision about the obtaining and treatment of such data,

c Part 4 makes provision for the retention of certain communications data in pursuance of a notice,

d Part 5 and Chapter 3 of Part 6 deal with equipment interference warrants, and

e Parts 7 to 7B deal with bulk personal dataset warrants and authorisations.

7 As to the rest of the Act—

a Part 8 deals with oversight arrangements for regimes in this Act and elsewhere, and

b Part 9 contains miscellaneous and general provisions including amendments to sections 3 and 5 of the Intelligence Services Act 1994 and provisions about national security and combined warrants and authorisations.

^I98^I80^I484^I345^I595^I43^I3042 General duties in relation to privacy¶

1 Subsection (2) applies where a public authority is deciding whether—

a to issue, renew or cancel a warrant under Part 2, 5, 6 , 7 or 7B,

b to modify such a warrant,

c to approve a decision to issue, renew or modify such a warrant,

d to grant, approve or cancel an authorisation under Part 3,

e to give a notice in pursuance of such an authorisation or under Part 4 or section 252, 253 or 257,

f to vary or revoke such a notice,

g to approve a decision to give or vary a notice under Part 4 or section 252, 253 or 257,

h to approve the use of criteria under section 153, 194 or 222,

i to give an authorisation under section 219(3)(b),

j to approve a decision to give such an authorisation, ^F254...

ja to grant, renew or cancel an authorisation under Part 7A,

jb to approve a decision to grant or renew such an authorisation, or

k to apply for or otherwise seek any issue, grant, giving, modification, variation or renewal of a kind falling within paragraph (a), (b), (d), (e), (f) , (i) or (ja).

2 The public authority must have regard to—

a whether what is sought to be achieved by the warrant, authorisation or notice could reasonably be achieved by other less intrusive means,

b whether the level of protection to be applied in relation to any obtaining of information by virtue of the warrant, authorisation or notice is higher because of the particular sensitivity of that information,

c the public interest in the integrity and security of telecommunication systems and postal services, and

d any other aspects of the public interest in the protection of privacy.

3 The duties under subsection (2)—

a apply so far as they are relevant in the particular context, and

b are subject to the need to have regard to other considerations that are also relevant in that context.

4 The other considerations may, in particular, include—

a the interests of national security or of the economic well-being of the United Kingdom,

b the public interest in preventing or detecting serious crime,

c other considerations which are relevant to—

i whether the conduct authorised or required by the warrant, authorisation or notice is proportionate, or

ii whether it is necessary to act for a purpose provided for by this Act,

d the requirements of the Human Rights Act 1998, and

e other requirements of public law.

5 For the purposes of subsection (2)(b), examples of sensitive information include—

a items subject to legal privilege,

b any information identifying or confirming a source of journalistic information, and

c relevant confidential information within the meaning given by paragraph 2(4) of Schedule 7 (certain information held in confidence and consisting of personal records, journalistic material or communications between Members of Parliament and their constituents).

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Prohibitions against unlawful interception¶

^I5063 Offence of unlawful interception¶

1 A person commits an offence if—

a the person intentionally intercepts a communication in the course of its transmission by means of—

i a public telecommunication system,

ii a private telecommunication system, or

iii a public postal service,

b the interception is carried out in the United Kingdom, and

c the person does not have lawful authority to carry out the interception.

2 But it is not an offence under subsection (1) for a person to intercept a communication in the course of its transmission by means of a private telecommunication system if the person—

a is a person with a right to control the operation or use of the system, or

b has the express or implied consent of such a person to carry out the interception.

3 Sections 4 and 5 contain provision about—

a the meaning of “interception”, and

b when interception is to be regarded as carried out in the United Kingdom.

4 Section 6 contains provision about when a person has lawful authority to carry out an interception.

5 For the meaning of the terms used in subsection (1)(a)(i) to (iii), see sections 261 and 262.

6 A person who is guilty of an offence under subsection (1) is liable—

a on summary conviction in England and Wales, to a fine;

b on summary conviction in Scotland or Northern Ireland, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum;

c on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to a fine, or to both.

7 No proceedings for any offence which is an offence by virtue of this section may be instituted—

a in England and Wales, except by or with the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions;

b in Northern Ireland, except by or with the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland.

^I1504 Definition of “interception” etc.¶

Interception in relation to telecommunication systems

1 For the purposes of this Act, a person intercepts a communication in the course of its transmission by means of a telecommunication system if, and only if—

a the person does a relevant act in relation to the system, and

b the effect of the relevant act is to make any content of the communication available, at a relevant time, to a person who is not the sender or intended recipient of the communication.

For the meaning of “content” in relation to a communication, see section 261(6).

2 In this section “relevant act”, in relation to a telecommunication system, means—

a modifying, or interfering with, the system or its operation;

b monitoring transmissions made by means of the system;

c monitoring transmissions made by wireless telegraphy to or from apparatus that is part of the system.

3 For the purposes of this section references to modifying a telecommunication system include references to attaching any apparatus to, or otherwise modifying or interfering with—

a any part of the system, or

b any wireless telegraphy apparatus used for making transmissions to or from apparatus that is part of the system.

4 In this section “relevant time”, in relation to a communication transmitted by means of a telecommunication system, means—

a any time while the communication is being transmitted, and

b any time when the communication is stored in or by the system (whether before or after its transmission).

5 For the purposes of this section, the cases in which any content of a communication is to be taken to be made available to a person at a relevant time include any case in which any of the communication is diverted or recorded at a relevant time so as to make any content of the communication available to a person after that time.

6 In this section “wireless telegraphy” and “wireless telegraphy apparatus” have the same meaning as in the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 (see sections 116 and 117 of that Act).

Interception in relation to postal services

7 Section 125(3) of the Postal Services Act 2000 applies for the purposes of determining for the purposes of this Act whether a postal item is in the course of its transmission by means of a postal service as it applies for the purposes of determining for the purposes of that Act whether a postal packet is in course of transmission by post.

Interception carried out in the United Kingdom

8 For the purposes of this Act the interception of a communication is carried out in the United Kingdom if, and only if—

a the relevant act or, in the case of a postal item, the interception is carried out by conduct within the United Kingdom, and

b the communication is intercepted—

i in the course of its transmission by means of a public telecommunication system or a public postal service, or

ii in the course of its transmission by means of a private telecommunication system in a case where the sender or intended recipient of the communication is in the United Kingdom.

^I3545 Conduct that is not interception¶

1 References in this Act to the interception of a communication do not include references to the interception of any communication broadcast for general reception.

2 References in this Act to the interception of a communication in the course of its transmission by means of a postal service do not include references to—

a any conduct that takes place in relation only to so much of the communication as consists of any postal data comprised in, included as part of, attached to, or logically associated with a communication (whether by the sender or otherwise) for the purposes of any postal service by means of which it is being or may be transmitted, or

b any conduct, in connection with conduct falling within paragraph (a), that gives a person who is neither the sender nor the intended recipient only so much access to a communication as is necessary for the purpose of identifying such postal data.

For the meaning of “postal data”, see section 262.

^I6516 Definition of “lawful authority” in relation to interceptions ¶

1 For the purposes of this Act, a person has lawful authority to carry out an interception if, and only if—

a the interception is carried out in accordance with—

i a targeted interception warrant or mutual assistance warrant under Chapter 1 of Part 2, or

ii a bulk interception warrant under Chapter 1 of Part 6,

b the interception is authorised by any of sections 44 to 52, or

c in the case of a communication stored in or by a telecommunication system, the interception—

i is carried out in accordance with a targeted equipment interference warrant under Part 5 or a bulk equipment interference warrant under Chapter 3 of Part 6,

ii is in the exercise of any statutory power that is exercised for the purpose of obtaining information or taking possession of any document or other property, or

iii is carried out in accordance with a court order made for that purpose.

2 Conduct which has lawful authority for the purposes of this Act by virtue of subsection (1)(a) or (b) is to be treated as lawful for all other purposes.

3 Any other conduct which—

a is carried out in accordance with a warrant under Chapter 1 of Part 2 or a bulk interception warrant, or

b is authorised by any of sections 44 to 52,

is to be treated as lawful for all purposes.

^I4377 Monetary penalties for certain unlawful interceptions¶

1 The Investigatory Powers Commissioner may serve a monetary penalty notice on a person if conditions A and B are met.

2 A monetary penalty notice is a notice requiring the person on whom it is served to pay to the Investigatory Powers Commissioner (“the Commissioner”) a monetary penalty of an amount determined by the Commissioner and specified in the notice.

3 Condition A is that the Commissioner considers that—

a the person has intercepted, in the United Kingdom, any communication in the course of its transmission by means of a public telecommunication system,

b the person did not have lawful authority to carry out the interception, and

c the person was not, at the time of the interception, making an attempt to act in accordance with an interception warrant which might, in the opinion of the Commissioner, explain the interception.

4 Condition B is that the Commissioner does not consider that the person has committed an offence under section 3(1).

5 The amount of a monetary penalty determined by the Commissioner under this section must not exceed £50,000.

6 Schedule 1 (which makes further provision about monetary penalty notices) has effect.

7 In this section “interception warrant” means—

a a targeted interception warrant or mutual assistance warrant under Chapter 1 of Part 2, or

b a bulk interception warrant under Chapter 1 of Part 6.

8 For the meaning of “interception” and other key expressions used in this section, see sections 4 to 6.

^I2198 Civil liability for certain unlawful interceptions¶

1 An interception of a communication is actionable at the suit or instance of—

a the sender of the communication, or

b the recipient, or intended recipient, of the communication,

if conditions A to D are met.

2 Condition A is that the interception is carried out in the United Kingdom.

3 Condition B is that the communication is intercepted—

a in the course of its transmission by means of a private telecommunication system, or

b in the course of its transmission, by means of a public telecommunication system, to or from apparatus that is part of a private telecommunication system.

4 Condition C is that the interception is carried out by, or with the express or implied consent of, a person who has the right to control the operation or use of the private telecommunication system.

5 Condition D is that the interception is carried out without lawful authority.

6 For the meaning of “interception” and other key expressions used in this section, see sections 4 to 6.

^I100^I3639 Restriction on requesting interception by overseas authorities¶

1 This section applies to a request for any authorities of a country or territory outside the United Kingdom to carry out the interception of communications sent by, or intended for, an individual who the person making the request believes will be in the British Islands at the time of the interception.

2 A request to which this section applies may not be made by or on behalf of a person in the United Kingdom unless—

a a targeted interception warrant has been issued under Chapter 1 of Part 2 authorising the person to whom it is addressed to secure the interception of communications sent by, or intended for, that individual, or

b a targeted examination warrant has been issued under that Chapter authorising the person to whom it is addressed to carry out the selection of the content of such communications for examination.

10 Restriction on requesting assistance under mutual assistance agreements etc.¶

^I390^I2351 This section applies to—

^F312a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

b a request for assistance in accordance with an international mutual assistance agreement so far as the assistance is in connection with, or in the form of, the interception of communications.

^I390^I2352 A request to which this section applies may not be made by or on behalf of a person in the United Kingdom to the competent authorities of a country or territory outside the United Kingdom unless a mutual assistance warrant has been issued under Chapter 1 of Part 2 authorising the making of the request.

2A Subsection (2) does not apply in the case of a request for assistance in connection with, or in the form of, interception of a communication stored in or by a telecommunication system if the request is made—

a in the exercise of a statutory power that is exercised for the purpose of obtaining information or taking possession of any document or other property, or

b in accordance with a court order that is made for that purpose.

^I327^I2533 In this section—

^F247...
“international mutual assistance agreement” means an international agreement which—
1. relates to the provision of mutual assistance in connection with, or in the form of, the interception of communications,
2. requires the issue of a warrant, order or equivalent instrument in cases in which assistance is given, and
3. is designated as an international mutual assistance agreement by regulations made by the Secretary of State.

Prohibition against unlawful obtaining of communications data¶

^I21311 Offence of unlawfully obtaining communications data¶

1 A relevant person who, without lawful authority, knowingly or recklessly obtains communications data from—

a a telecommunications operator which is not wholly or mainly funded out of public funds, or

b a postal operator,

is guilty of an offence.

2 In this section “relevant person” means a person who holds an office, rank or position with a relevant public authority (within the meaning of Part 3).

3 Subsection (1) does not apply to a relevant person who shows that the person acted in the reasonable belief that the person had lawful authority to obtain the communications data.

3A The following are examples of cases where a relevant person has lawful authority to obtain communications data from a telecommunications operator or postal operator—

a where the relevant person’s obtaining of the communications data is lawful for all purposes in accordance with section 81(1);

b any other case where the relevant person obtains the communications data in the exercise of a statutory power of the relevant public authority;

c where the operator lawfully provides the communications data to the relevant person otherwise than pursuant to the exercise of a statutory power of the relevant public authority (whether or not in the exercise of a statutory power to disclose);

d where the communications data is obtained in accordance with a court order or other judicial authorisation;

e where the communications data had been published before the relevant person obtained it;

f where the communications data is obtained by the relevant person for the purpose of enabling, or facilitating, the making of a response to a call made to the emergency services.

3B In subsection (3A)—

“emergency services” means—
1. police, fire, rescue and ambulance services, and
2. His Majesty’s Coastguard;
“publish” means make available to the public or a section of the public (whether or not on a commercial basis).

4 A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—

a on summary conviction in England and Wales—

i to imprisonment for a term not exceeding the general limit in a magistrates’ court (or 6 months, if the offence was committed before 2 May 2022), or

ii to a fine,

or to both;

b on summary conviction in Scotland—

i to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or

ii to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum,

or to both;

c on summary conviction in Northern Ireland—

i to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or

ii to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum,

or to both;

d on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to a fine, or to both.

Abolition or restriction of powers to obtain communications data¶

^I4912 Abolition or restriction of certain powers to obtain communications data¶

1 Schedule 2 (which repeals certain information powers so far as they enable public authorities to secure the disclosure by a telecommunications operator or postal operator of communications data without the consent of the operator) has effect.

^C92 Any general information power which—

a would (apart from this subsection) enable a public authority to secure the disclosure by a telecommunications operator or postal operator of communications data without the consent of the operator, and

b does not involve a court order or other judicial authorisation or warrant ^F235...,

is to be read as not enabling the public authority to secure such a disclosure.

2A Subsection (2) is subject to section 352(1) of the Finance (No. 2) Act 2023 (no restriction on tax related powers) and subsection (2B).

2B Subsection (2) does not apply to the exercise by a specified public authority, otherwise than in the course of a criminal investigation, of a general information power which is a regulatory or supervisory power.

2C For the purposes of subsection (2B), “criminal investigation” means an investigation of any criminal conduct, including—

a an investigation of alleged or suspected criminal conduct, and

b an investigation of whether criminal conduct has taken place.

2D For the purposes of subsection (2B), the exercise of a general information power which is a regulatory or supervisory power is treated as not being in the course of a criminal investigation if at the time of the exercise of the power the investigation is not being conducted with a view to seeking a criminal prosecution.

^F2253 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4 The Secretary of State may by regulations modify any enactment in consequence of subsection (2).

5 In this section “general information power” means—

a in relation to disclosure by a telecommunications operator, any power to obtain information or documents (however expressed) which—

i is conferred by or under an enactment other than this Act or the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000, and

ii does not deal (whether alone or with other matters) specifically with telecommunications operators or any class of telecommunications operators, and

b in relation to disclosure by a postal operator, any power to obtain information or documents (however expressed) which—

i is conferred by or under an enactment other than this Act or the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000, and

ii does not deal (whether alone or with other matters) specifically with postal operators or any class of postal operators.

5A In this section “specified public authority” means a public authority which is—

a listed in Schedule 2A, or

b listed in column 1 of the table in Schedule 4.

5B The Secretary of State or the Treasury may by regulations modify Schedule 2A by—

a adding a public authority to, or

b removing a public authority from,

the list in that Schedule.

6 In this section—

“criminal conduct” means conduct which constitutes an offence under the law of any part of the United Kingdom,
“power” includes part of a power,
“regulatory or supervisory power” means any power (however expressed) to obtain information or documents which—
1. is conferred by or under an enactment other than this Act or the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000, and
2. is exercisable in connection with—
  1. the regulation of persons or activities,
  2. the checking or monitoring of compliance with requirements, prohibitions or standards imposed by or under an enactment, or
  3. the enforcement of any requirement or prohibition imposed by or under an enactment,
^F266...

and references to powers include duties (and references to enabling and exercising are to be read as including references to requiring and performing).

Restrictions on interference with equipment¶

^I513 Mandatory use of equipment interference warrants¶

1 An intelligence service may not, for the purpose of obtaining communications, private information or equipment data, engage in conduct which could be authorised by an equipment interference warrant except under the authority of such a warrant if—

a the intelligence service considers that the conduct would (unless done under lawful authority) constitute one or more offences under sections 1 to 3A of the Computer Misuse Act 1990 (computer misuse offences), and

b there is a British Islands connection.

2 For the purpose of this section, there is a British Islands connection if—

a any of the conduct would take place in the British Islands (regardless of the location of the equipment which would, or may, be interfered with),

b the intelligence service believes that any of the equipment which would, or may, be interfered with would, or may, be in the British Islands at some time while the interference is taking place, or

c a purpose of the interference is to obtain—

i communications sent by, or to, a person who is, or whom the intelligence service believes to be, for the time being in the British Islands,

ii private information relating to an individual who is, or whom the intelligence service believes to be, for the time being in the British Islands, or

iii equipment data which forms part of, or is connected with, communications or private information falling within sub-paragraph (i) or (ii).

3 This section does not restrict the ability of the head of an intelligence service to apply for an equipment interference warrant in cases where—

a the intelligence service does not consider that the conduct for which it is seeking authorisation would (unless done under lawful authority) constitute one or more offences under sections 1 to 3A of the Computer Misuse Act 1990, or

b there is no British Islands connection.

4 In this section—

“communications”, “private information” and “equipment data” have the same meaning as in Part 5 (see section 135);
“equipment interference warrant” means—
1. a targeted equipment interference warrant under Part 5;
2. a bulk equipment interference warrant under Chapter 3 of Part 6.

^I614 Restriction on use of section 93 of the Police Act 1997¶

1 A person may not, for the purpose of obtaining communications, private information or equipment data, make an application under section 93 of the Police Act 1997 for authorisation to engage in conduct which could be authorised by a targeted equipment interference warrant under Part 5 if the applicant considers that the conduct would (unless done under lawful authority) constitute one or more offences under sections 1 to 3A of the Computer Misuse Act 1990 (computer misuse offences).

2 In this section, “communications”, “private information” and “equipment data” have the same meaning as in Part 5 (see section 135).

Part 2 Lawful interception of communications¶

CHAPTER 1 Interception and examination with a warrant¶

Warrants under this Chapter¶

^C215 Warrants that may be issued under this Chapter¶

^I2971 There are three kinds of warrant that may be issued under this Chapter—

a targeted interception warrants (see subsection (2)),

b targeted examination warrants (see subsection (3)), and

c mutual assistance warrants (see subsection (4)).

^I2972 A targeted interception warrant is a warrant which authorises or requires the person to whom it is addressed to secure, by any conduct described in the warrant, any one or more of the following—

a the interception, in the course of their transmission by means of a postal service or telecommunication system, of communications described in the warrant;

b the obtaining of secondary data from communications transmitted by means of a postal service or telecommunication system and described in the warrant (see section 16);

c the disclosure, in any manner described in the warrant, of anything obtained under the warrant to the person to whom the warrant is addressed or to any person acting on that person's behalf.

^I2973 A targeted examination warrant is a warrant which authorises the person to whom it is addressed to carry out the selection of relevant content for examination, in breach of the prohibition in section 152(4) (prohibition on seeking to identify communications of individuals in the British Islands).In this Part “relevant content”, in relation to a targeted examination warrant, means any content of communications intercepted by an interception authorised or required by a bulk interception warrant under Chapter 1 of Part 6.

^I2974 A mutual assistance warrant is a warrant which authorises or requires the person to whom it is addressed to secure, by any conduct described in the warrant, any one or more of the following—

a the making of a request, in accordance with ^F83... an international mutual assistance agreement, for the provision of any assistance of a kind described in the warrant in connection with, or in the form of, an interception of communications;

b the provision to the competent authorities of a country or territory outside the United Kingdom, in accordance with such an ^F80... agreement, of any assistance of a kind described in the warrant in connection with, or in the form of, an interception of communications;

c the disclosure, in any manner described in the warrant, of anything obtained under the warrant to the person to whom the warrant is addressed or to any person acting on that person's behalf.

^I2975 A targeted interception warrant or mutual assistance warrant also authorises the following conduct (in addition to the conduct described in the warrant)—

a any conduct which it is necessary to undertake in order to do what is expressly authorised or required by the warrant, including—

i the interception of communications not described in the warrant, and

ii conduct for obtaining secondary data from such communications;

b any conduct by any person which is conduct in pursuance of a requirement imposed by or on behalf of the person to whom the warrant is addressed to be provided with assistance in giving effect to the warrant;

c any conduct for obtaining related systems data from any postal operator or telecommunications operator.

^I268^I1436 For the purposes of subsection (5)(c)—

“related systems data”, in relation to a warrant, means systems data relating to a relevant communication or to the sender or recipient, or intended recipient, of a relevant communication (whether or not a person), and
“relevant communication”, in relation to a warrant, means—
1. any communication intercepted in accordance with the warrant in the course of its transmission by means of a postal service or telecommunication system, or
2. any communication from which secondary data is obtained under the warrant.

^I2977 For provision enabling the combination of targeted interception warrants with certain other warrants or authorisations (including targeted examination warrants), see Schedule 8.

16 Obtaining secondary data¶

^I991 This section has effect for the purposes of this Part.

^I992 In relation to a communication transmitted by means of a postal service, references to obtaining secondary data from the communication are references to obtaining such data in the course of the transmission of the communication (as to which, see section 4(7)).

^I993 In relation to a communication transmitted by means of a telecommunication system, references to obtaining secondary data from the communication are references to obtaining such data—

a while the communication is being transmitted, or

b at any time when the communication is stored in or by the system (whether before or after its transmission).

^I552^I94 “Secondary data”—

a in relation to a communication transmitted by means of a postal service, means any data falling within subsection (5);

b in relation to a communication transmitted by means of a telecommunication system, means any data falling within subsection (5) or (6).

^I552^I95 The data falling within this subsection is systems data which is comprised in, included as part of, attached to or logically associated with the communication (whether by the sender or otherwise).

^I552^I96 The data falling within this subsection is identifying data which—

a is comprised in, included as part of, attached to or logically associated with the communication (whether by the sender or otherwise),

b is capable of being logically separated from the remainder of the communication, and

c if it were so separated, would not reveal anything of what might reasonably be considered to be the meaning (if any) of the communication, disregarding any meaning arising from the fact of the communication or from any data relating to the transmission of the communication.

^I997 For the meaning of “systems data” and “identifying data”, see section 263.

^I39717 Subject-matter of warrants¶

1 A warrant under this Chapter may relate to—

a a particular person or organisation, or

b a single set of premises.

2 In addition, a targeted interception warrant or targeted examination warrant may relate to—

a a group of persons who share a common purpose or who carry on, or may carry on, a particular activity;

b more than one person or organisation, or more than one set of premises, where the conduct authorised or required by the warrant is for the purposes of a single investigation or operation;

c testing or training activities.

3 In subsection (2)(c) “testing or training activities” means—

a in relation to a targeted interception warrant—

i the testing, maintenance or development of apparatus, systems or other capabilities relating to the interception of communications in the course of their transmission by means of a telecommunication system or to the obtaining of secondary data from communications transmitted by means of such a system, or

ii the training of persons who carry out, or are likely to carry out, such interception or the obtaining of such data;

b in relation to a targeted examination warrant—

i the testing, maintenance or development of apparatus, systems or other capabilities relating to the selection of relevant content for examination, or

ii the training of persons who carry out, or are likely to carry out, the selection of relevant content for examination.

Power to issue warrants¶

18 Persons who may apply for issue of a warrant¶

1 Each of the following is an “intercepting authority” for the purposes of this Part—

^I45a a person who is the head of an intelligence service;

^I137b the Director General of the National Crime Agency;

^I137c the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis;

^I137d the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland;

^I137e the chief constable of the Police Service of Scotland;

^I137f the Commissioners for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs;

^I45g the Chief of Defence Intelligence;

^I137h a person who is the competent authority of a country or territory outside the United Kingdom for the purposes of ^F251... an international mutual assistance agreement.

^I452 For the meaning of “head of an intelligence service”, see section 263.

^I453 An application for the issue of a warrant under this Chapter may only be made on behalf of an intercepting authority by a person holding office under the Crown.

^C319 Power of Secretary of State to issue warrants¶

^I481^I4251 The Secretary of State may, on an application made by or on behalf of an intercepting authority mentioned in section 18(1)(a) to (g), issue a targeted interception warrant if—

a the Secretary of State considers that the warrant is necessary on grounds falling within section 20,

b the Secretary of State considers that the conduct authorised by the warrant is proportionate to what is sought to be achieved by that conduct,

c the Secretary of State considers that satisfactory arrangements made for the purposes of sections 53 and 54 (safeguards relating to disclosure etc.) are in force in relation to the warrant, and

d except where the Secretary of State considers that there is an urgent need to issue the warrant, the decision to issue the warrant has been approved by a Judicial Commissioner.

This is subject to subsection (4).

^I481^I4252 The Secretary of State may, on an application made by or on behalf of the head of an intelligence service, issue a targeted examination warrant if—

a the Secretary of State considers that the warrant is necessary on grounds falling within section 20,

b the Secretary of State considers that the conduct authorised by the warrant is proportionate to what is sought to be achieved by that conduct,

c the Secretary of State considers that the warrant is or may be necessary to authorise the selection of relevant content for examination in breach of the prohibition in section 152(4) (prohibition on seeking to identify communications of individuals in the British Islands), and

d except where the Secretary of State considers that there is an urgent need to issue the warrant, the decision to issue the warrant has been approved by a Judicial Commissioner.

This is subject to subsection (4).

^I481^I4253 The Secretary of State may, on an application made by or on behalf of an intercepting authority, issue a mutual assistance warrant if—

a the Secretary of State considers that the warrant is necessary on grounds falling within section 20,

b the Secretary of State considers that the conduct authorised by the warrant is proportionate to what is sought to be achieved by that conduct,

c the Secretary of State considers that satisfactory arrangements made for the purposes of sections 53 and 54 (safeguards relating to disclosure etc.) are in force in relation to the warrant, and

d except where the Secretary of State considers that there is an urgent need to issue the warrant, the decision to issue the warrant has been approved by a Judicial Commissioner.

This is subject to subsection (4).

^I4284 The Secretary of State may not issue a warrant under this section if—

a the application is a relevant Scottish application (see section 22), and

b in the case of an application for a targeted interception warrant or a targeted examination warrant, the Secretary of State considers that the warrant is necessary only for the purpose of preventing or detecting serious crime.

For the power of the Scottish Ministers to issue warrants under this Chapter, see section 21.

^F28^I4285 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

^I47420 Grounds on which warrants may be issued by Secretary of State¶

1 This section has effect for the purposes of this Part.

2 A targeted interception warrant or targeted examination warrant is necessary on grounds falling within this section if it is necessary—

a in the interests of national security,

b for the purpose of preventing or detecting serious crime, or

c in the interests of the economic well-being of the United Kingdom so far as those interests are also relevant to the interests of national security (but see subsection (4)).

3 A mutual assistance warrant is necessary on grounds falling within this section if—

a it is necessary for the purpose of giving effect to the provisions of ^F12... an international mutual assistance agreement, and

b the circumstances appear to the Secretary of State to be equivalent to those in which the Secretary of State would issue a warrant by virtue of subsection (2)(b).

4 A warrant may be considered necessary as mentioned in subsection (2)(c) only if the information which it is considered necessary to obtain is information relating to the acts or intentions of persons outside the British Islands.

5 A warrant may not be considered necessary on grounds falling within this section if it is considered necessary only for the purpose of gathering evidence for use in any legal proceedings.

6 The fact that the information which would be obtained under a warrant relates to the activities in the British Islands of a trade union is not, of itself, sufficient to establish that the warrant is necessary on grounds falling within this section.

21 Power of Scottish Ministers to issue warrants¶

^I537^I3841 The Scottish Ministers may, on an application made by or on behalf of an intercepting authority mentioned in section 18(1)(a) to (g), issue a targeted interception warrant if—

a the application is a relevant Scottish application (see section 22),

b the Scottish Ministers consider that the warrant is necessary on grounds falling within subsection (4),

c the Scottish Ministers consider that the conduct authorised by the warrant is proportionate to what is sought to be achieved by that conduct,

d the Scottish Ministers consider that satisfactory arrangements made for the purposes of sections 53 and 54 (safeguards relating to disclosure etc.) are in force in relation to the warrant, and

e except where the Scottish Ministers consider that there is an urgent need to issue the warrant, the decision to issue the warrant has been approved by a Judicial Commissioner.

^I537^I3842 The Scottish Ministers may, on an application made by or on behalf of the head of an intelligence service, issue a targeted examination warrant if—

a the application is a relevant Scottish application,

b the Scottish Ministers consider that the warrant is necessary on grounds falling within subsection (4),

c the Scottish Ministers consider that the conduct authorised by the warrant is proportionate to what is sought to be achieved by that conduct,

d the Scottish Ministers consider that the warrant is or may be necessary to authorise the selection of relevant content for examination in breach of the prohibition in section 152(4) (prohibition on seeking to identify communications of individuals in the British Islands), and

e except where the Scottish Ministers consider that there is an urgent need to issue the warrant, the decision to issue the warrant has been approved by a Judicial Commissioner.

^I537^I3843 The Scottish Ministers may, on an application made by or on behalf of an intercepting authority, issue a mutual assistance warrant if—

a the application is a relevant Scottish application,

b the Scottish Ministers consider that the warrant is necessary on grounds falling within subsection (4),

c the Scottish Ministers consider that the conduct authorised by the warrant is proportionate to what is sought to be achieved by that conduct,

d the Scottish Ministers consider that satisfactory arrangements made for the purposes of sections 53 and 54 (safeguards relating to disclosure etc.) are in force in relation to the warrant, and

e except where the Scottish Ministers consider that there is an urgent need to issue the warrant, the decision to issue the warrant has been approved by a Judicial Commissioner.

^I1364 A warrant is necessary on grounds falling within this subsection if—

a in the case of a targeted interception warrant or targeted examination warrant, it is necessary for the purposes of preventing or detecting serious crime, and

b in the case of a mutual assistance warrant—

i it is necessary for the purpose of giving effect to the provisions of ^F298... an international mutual assistance agreement, and

ii the circumstances appear to the Scottish Ministers to be equivalent to those in which the Scottish Ministers would issue a warrant by virtue of paragraph (a).

^I1365 A warrant may not be considered necessary on grounds falling within subsection (4) if it is considered necessary only for the purpose of gathering evidence for use in any legal proceedings.

^I1366 The fact that the information which would be obtained under a warrant relates to the activities in the British Islands of a trade union is not, of itself, sufficient to establish that the warrant is necessary on grounds falling within subsection (4).

^I52022 “Relevant Scottish applications”¶

1 An application for the issue of a warrant under this Chapter is a “relevant Scottish application” for the purposes of this Chapter if any of conditions A to C is met.In this section “the applicant” means the person by whom, or on whose behalf, the application is made.

2 Condition A is that—

a the application is for the issue of a targeted interception warrant or a targeted examination warrant, and

b the warrant, if issued, would relate to—

i a person who is in Scotland, or is reasonably believed by the applicant to be in Scotland, at the time of the issue of the warrant, or

ii premises which are in Scotland, or are reasonably believed by the applicant to be in Scotland, at that time.

3 Condition B is that—

a the application is for the issue of a mutual assistance warrant which, if issued, would authorise or require—

i the making of a request falling within section 15(4)(a), or

ii the making of such a request and disclosure falling within section 15(4)(c), and

b the application—

i is made by, or on behalf of, the chief constable of the Police Service of Scotland, or

ii is made by, or on behalf of, the Commissioners for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs or the Director General of the National Crime Agency for the purpose of preventing or detecting serious crime in Scotland.

4 Condition C is that—

a the application is for the issue of a mutual assistance warrant which, if issued, would authorise or require—

i the provision of assistance falling within section 15(4)(b), or

ii the provision of such assistance and disclosure falling within section 15(4)(c), and

b the warrant, if issued, would relate to—

i a person who is in Scotland, or is reasonably believed by the applicant to be in Scotland, at the time of the issue of the warrant, or

ii premises which are in Scotland, or are reasonably believed by the applicant to be in Scotland, at that time.

Approval of warrants by Judicial Commissioners¶

^I32123 Approval of warrants by Judicial Commissioners¶

1 In deciding whether to approve a person's decision to issue a warrant under this Chapter, a Judicial Commissioner must review the person's conclusions as to the following matters—

a whether the warrant is necessary on relevant grounds (see subsection (3)), and

b whether the conduct that would be authorised by the warrant is proportionate to what is sought to be achieved by that conduct.

2 In doing so, the Judicial Commissioner must—

a apply the same principles as would be applied by a court on an application for judicial review, and

b consider the matters referred to in subsection (1) with a sufficient degree of care as to ensure that the Judicial Commissioner complies with the duties imposed by section 2 (general duties in relation to privacy).

3 In subsection (1)(a) “relevant grounds” means—

a in the case of a decision of the Secretary of State to issue a warrant, grounds falling within section 20;

b in the case of a decision of the Scottish Ministers to issue a warrant, grounds falling within section 21(4).

4 Where a Judicial Commissioner refuses to approve a person's decision to issue a warrant under this Chapter, the Judicial Commissioner must give the person written reasons for the refusal.

5 Where a Judicial Commissioner, other than the Investigatory Powers Commissioner, refuses to approve a person's decision to issue a warrant under this Chapter, the person may ask the Investigatory Powers Commissioner to decide whether to approve the decision to issue the warrant.

^I53624 Approval of warrants issued in urgent cases¶

1 This section applies where—

a a warrant under this Chapter is issued without the approval of a Judicial Commissioner, and

b the person who decided to issue the warrant considered that there was an urgent need to issue it.

2 The person who decided to issue the warrant must inform a Judicial Commissioner that it has been issued.

3 The Judicial Commissioner must, before the end of the relevant period—

a decide whether to approve the decision to issue the warrant, and

b notify the person of the Judicial Commissioner's decision.

“The relevant period” means the period ending with the third working day after the day on which the warrant was issued.

4 If a Judicial Commissioner refuses to approve the decision to issue a warrant, the warrant—

a ceases to have effect (unless already cancelled), and

b may not be renewed,

and section 23(5) does not apply in relation to the refusal to approve the decision.

5 Section 25 contains further provision about what happens if a Judicial Commissioner refuses to approve the decision to issue a warrant.

^I27725 Failure to approve warrant issued in urgent case¶

1 This section applies where under section 24(3) a Judicial Commissioner refuses to approve the decision to issue a warrant.

2 The person to whom the warrant was addressed must, so far as is reasonably practicable, secure that anything in the process of being done under the warrant stops as soon as possible.

3 The Judicial Commissioner may—

a direct that any of the material obtained under the warrant is destroyed;

b impose conditions as to the use or retention of any of that material;

c in the case of a targeted examination warrant, impose conditions as to the use of any relevant content selected for examination under the warrant.

4 The Judicial Commissioner—

a may require an affected party to make representations about how the Judicial Commissioner should exercise any function under subsection (3), and

b must have regard to any such representations made by an affected party (whether or not as a result of a requirement imposed under paragraph (a)).

5 Each of the following is an “affected party” for the purposes of subsection (4)—

a the person who decided to issue the warrant;

b the person to whom the warrant was addressed.

6 The person who decided to issue the warrant may ask the Investigatory Powers Commissioner to review a decision made by any other Judicial Commissioner under subsection (3).

7 On a review under subsection (6), the Investigatory Powers Commissioner may—

a confirm the Judicial Commissioner's decision, or

b make a fresh determination.

8 Nothing in this section or section 24 affects the lawfulness of—

a anything done under the warrant before it ceases to have effect;

b if anything is in the process of being done under the warrant when it ceases to have effect—

i anything done before that thing could be stopped, or

ii anything done which it is not reasonably practicable to stop.

Additional safeguards¶

^I7926 Members of Parliament etc.¶

1 This section applies where—

a an application is made to the Secretary of State for the issue of a targeted interception warrant or a targeted examination warrant, and

b the purpose of the warrant is—

i in the case of a targeted interception warrant, to authorise or require the interception of communications sent by, or intended for, a person who is a member of a relevant legislature, or

ii in the case of a targeted examination warrant, to authorise the selection for examination of the content of such communications.

2 The Secretary of State may not issue the warrant without the approval of

a the Prime Minister , or

b if conditions A and B are met, an individual (other than that Secretary of State) designated by the Prime Minister under this section.

2A Condition A is that the Prime Minister is unable to decide whether to give approval under subsection (2), due to incapacity or inability to access secure communications.

2B Condition B is that the Secretary of State or a senior official considers that there is an urgent need for the decision (as to whether to give such approval) to be made.

2C The Prime Minister may designate up to five individuals under this section.

2D The Prime Minister may designate an individual under this section only if the individual—

a holds the office of Secretary of State, and

b has the necessary operational awareness to decide whether to give approvals under subsection (2).

2E A designation under this section ends—

a when the individual ceases to hold the office of Secretary of State, or

b if earlier, when revoked by the Prime Minister.

2F In this section “senior official” means a member of the Senior Civil Service or a member of the Senior Management Structure of His Majesty’s Diplomatic Service.

3 In this section “member of a relevant legislature” means—

a a member of either House of Parliament;

b a member of the Scottish Parliament;

c a member of the National Assembly for Wales;

d a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly;

^F319e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

^I55827 Items subject to legal privilege¶

1 Subsections (2) to (5) apply if—

a an application is made by or on behalf of an intercepting authority for a warrant under this Chapter, and

b the purpose, or one of the purposes, of the warrant is—

i in the case of a targeted interception warrant or mutual assistance warrant, to authorise or require the interception of items subject to legal privilege, or

ii in the case of a targeted examination warrant, to authorise the selection of such items for examination.

2 The application must contain a statement that the purpose, or one of the purposes, of the warrant is to authorise or require the interception, or (in the case of a targeted examination warrant) the selection for examination, of items subject to legal privilege.

3 In deciding whether to issue the warrant, the person to whom the application is made must have regard to the public interest in the confidentiality of items subject to legal privilege.

4 The person to whom the application is made may issue the warrant only if the person considers—

a that there are exceptional and compelling circumstances that make it necessary to authorise or require the interception, or (in the case of a targeted examination warrant) the selection for examination, of items subject to legal privilege, and

b that the arrangements made for the purposes of section 53 or (as the case may be) section 150 (safeguards relating to retention and disclosure of material) include specific arrangements for the handling, retention, use and destruction of such items.

5 But the warrant may not be issued if it is considered necessary only as mentioned in section 20(2)(c).

6 For the purposes of subsection (4)(a), there cannot be exceptional and compelling circumstances that make it necessary to authorise or require the interception, or the selection for examination, of items subject to legal privilege unless—

a the public interest in obtaining the information that would be obtained by the warrant outweighs the public interest in the confidentiality of items subject to legal privilege,

b there are no other means by which the information may reasonably be obtained, and

c in the case of a warrant considered necessary as mentioned in section 20(2)(b) or (3) or (as the case may be) 21(4), obtaining the information is necessary for the purpose of preventing death or significant injury.

7 Subsections (8) and (9) apply if—

a an application is made by or on behalf of an intercepting authority for a warrant under this Chapter,

b the intercepting authority considers that the relevant communications are likely to include items subject to legal privilege, and

c subsections (2) to (5) do not apply.

8 The application must contain—

a a statement that the intercepting authority considers that the relevant communications are likely to include items subject to legal privilege, and

b an assessment of how likely it is that the relevant communications will include such items.

9 The person to whom the application is made may issue the warrant only if the person considers that the arrangements made for the purposes of section 53 or (as the case may be) section 150 include specific arrangements for the handling, retention, use and destruction of items subject to legal privilege.

10 In this section “relevant communications” means—

a in relation to a targeted interception warrant or mutual assistance warrant, any communications the interception of which is authorised or required by the warrant;

b in relation to a targeted examination warrant, any communications the content of which the warrant authorises to be selected for examination.

11 Subsections (12) and (13) apply if—

a an application is made by or on behalf of an intercepting authority for a warrant under this Chapter,

b the purpose, or one of the purposes, of the warrant is—

i in the case of a targeted interception warrant or mutual assistance warrant, to authorise or require the interception of communications that, if they were not made with the intention of furthering a criminal purpose, would be items subject to legal privilege, or

ii in the case of a targeted examination warrant, to authorise the selection of such communications for examination, and

c the intercepting authority considers that the communications (“the targeted communications”) are likely to be communications made with the intention of furthering a criminal purpose.

12 The application must—

a contain a statement that the purpose, or one of the purposes, of the warrant is to authorise or require the interception, or (in the case of a targeted examination warrant) the selection for examination, of communications that, if they were not made with the intention of furthering a criminal purpose, would be items subject to legal privilege, and

b set out the reasons for believing that the targeted communications are likely to be communications made with the intention of furthering a criminal purpose.

13 The person to whom the application is made may issue the warrant only if the person considers that the targeted communications are likely to be communications made with the intention of furthering a criminal purpose.

^I9728 Confidential journalistic material¶

1 This section applies if—

a an application is made by or on behalf of an intercepting authority for a warrant under this Chapter, and

b the purpose, or one of the purposes, of the warrant is—

i in the case of a targeted interception warrant or mutual assistance warrant, to authorise or require the interception of communications which the intercepting authority believes will be communications containing confidential journalistic material, or

ii in the case of a targeted examination warrant, to authorise the selection for examination of journalistic material which the intercepting authority believes is confidential journalistic material.

2 The application must contain a statement that the purpose, or one of the purposes, of the warrant is—

a in the case of a targeted interception warrant or mutual assistance warrant, to authorise or require the interception of communications which the intercepting authority believes will be communications containing confidential journalistic material, or

b in the case of a targeted examination warrant, to authorise the selection for examination of journalistic material which the intercepting authority believes is confidential journalistic material.

3 The person to whom the application is made may issue the warrant only if the person considers that the arrangements made for the purposes of section 53 or (as the case may be) section 150 (safeguards relating to retention and disclosure of material) include specific arrangements for the handling, retention, use and destruction of communications containing confidential journalistic material.

4 For the meaning of “journalistic material” and “confidential journalistic material”, see section 264.

^I44229 Sources of journalistic information¶

1 This section applies if—

a an application is made by or on behalf of an intercepting authority for a warrant under this Chapter, and

b the purpose, or one of the purposes, of the warrant is to identify or confirm a source of journalistic information.

(For the meaning of “source of journalistic information”, see section 263(1).)

2 The application must contain a statement that the purpose, or one of the purposes, of the warrant is to identify or confirm a source of journalistic information.

Further provision about warrants¶

^I25530 Decisions to issue warrants to be taken personally by Ministers¶

1 The decision to issue a warrant under this Chapter must be taken personally by—

a the Secretary of State, or

b in the case of a warrant to be issued by the Scottish Ministers, a member of the Scottish Government.

2 Before a warrant under this Chapter is issued, it must be signed by the person who has taken the decision to issue it.

3 Subsections (1) and (2) are subject to—

a subsection (4), and

b section 40 (special rules for certain mutual assistance warrants).

4 If it is not reasonably practicable for a warrant to be signed by the person who has taken the decision to issue it, the warrant may be signed by a senior official designated by the Secretary of State or (as the case may be) the Scottish Ministers for that purpose.

5 In such a case, the warrant must contain a statement that—

a it is not reasonably practicable for the warrant to be signed by the person who took the decision to issue it, and

b the Secretary of State or (as the case may be) a member of the Scottish Government has personally and expressly authorised the issue of the warrant.

6 In this section “senior official” means—

a in the case of a warrant to be issued by the Secretary of State, a member of the Senior Civil Service or a member of the Senior Management Structure of Her Majesty's Diplomatic Service;

b in the case of a warrant to be issued by the Scottish Ministers, a member of the staff of the Scottish Administration who is a member of the Senior Civil Service.

^I36131 Requirements that must be met by warrants¶

1 A warrant under this Chapter must contain a provision stating whether it is a targeted interception warrant, a targeted examination warrant or a mutual assistance warrant.

2 A warrant issued under this Chapter must be addressed to the person by whom, or on whose behalf, the application for the warrant was made.

3 A warrant that relates to a particular person or organisation, or to a single set of premises, must name or describe that person or organisation or those premises.

4 A warrant that relates to a group of persons who share a common purpose or who carry on (or may carry on) a particular activity must—

a describe that purpose or activity, and

b name or describe as many of those persons as it is reasonably practicable to name or describe.

5 A warrant that relates to more than one person or organisation, or more than one set of premises, where the conduct authorised or required by the warrant is for the purposes of a single investigation or operation, must—

a describe the investigation or operation, and

b name or describe as many of those persons or organisations, or as many of those sets of premises, as it is reasonably practicable to name or describe.

6 A warrant that relates to any testing or training activities must—

a describe those activities, and

b name or describe as many of the persons within subsection (7) as it is reasonably practicable to name or describe.

“Testing or training activities” has the meaning given by section 17(3).

7 A person is within this subsection if—

a in the case of a targeted interception warrant—

i communications from, or intended for, the person will or may be intercepted by an interception authorised or required by the warrant, or

ii secondary data will or may be obtained under the warrant from communications from, or intended for, the person;

b in the case of a targeted examination warrant, the content of communications from, or intended for, the person may be selected for examination under the warrant.

8 Where—

a a targeted interception warrant or mutual assistance warrant authorises or requires the interception of communications described in the warrant, or the obtaining of secondary data from such communications, or

b a targeted examination warrant authorises the selection of the content of communications for examination,

the warrant must specify the addresses, numbers, apparatus, or other factors, or combination of factors, that are to be used for identifying the communications.

9 Any factor, or combination of factors, specified in accordance with subsection (8) must be one that identifies communications which are likely to be or to include—

a communications from, or intended for, any person or organisation named or described in the warrant, or

b communications originating on, or intended for transmission to, any premises named or described in the warrant.

10 In this section any reference to communications from, or intended for, a person or organisation includes communications from, or intended for, anything owned, controlled or operated by that person or organisation.

^I47132 Duration of warrants¶

1 A warrant under this Chapter ceases to have effect at the end of the relevant period (see subsection (2)), unless—

a it is renewed before the end of that period (see section 33), or

b it is cancelled or otherwise ceases to have effect before the end of that period (see sections 24 and 39).

2 In this section “the relevant period”—

a in the case of an urgent warrant which has not been renewed, means the period ending with the fifth working day after the day on which the warrant was issued;

b in any other case, means the period of 6 months beginning with—

i the day on which the warrant was issued, or

ii in the case of a warrant that has been renewed, the day after the day at the end of which the warrant would have ceased to have effect if it had not been renewed.

3 For the purposes of subsection (2)(a) a warrant is an “urgent warrant” if—

a the warrant was issued without the approval of a Judicial Commissioner, and

b the person who decided to issue the warrant considered that there was an urgent need to issue it.

^I7133 Renewal of warrants¶

1 If the renewal conditions are met, a warrant issued under this Chapter may be renewed, at any time during the renewal period, by an instrument issued by the appropriate person (see subsection (3)).

2 The renewal conditions are—

a that the appropriate person considers that the warrant continues to be necessary on any relevant grounds (see subsection (4)),

b that the appropriate person considers that the conduct that would be authorised by the renewed warrant continues to be proportionate to what is sought to be achieved by that conduct,

c that, in the case of a targeted examination warrant, the appropriate person considers that the warrant continues to be necessary to authorise the selection of relevant content for examination in breach of the prohibition in section 152(4), and

d that the decision to renew the warrant has been approved by a Judicial Commissioner.

3 The appropriate person is—

a in the case of a warrant issued by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of State;

b in the case of a warrant issued by the Scottish Ministers, a member of the Scottish Government.

4 “Relevant grounds” means—

a in the case of a warrant issued by the Secretary of State, grounds falling within section 20;

b in the case of a warrant issued by the Scottish Ministers, grounds falling within section 21(4).

5 “The renewal period” means—

a in the case of an urgent warrant which has not been renewed, the relevant period;

b in any other case, the period of 30 days ending with the day at the end of which the warrant would otherwise cease to have effect.

6 The decision to renew a warrant must be taken personally by the appropriate person, and the instrument renewing the warrant must be signed by that person.

7 Section 23 (approval of warrants by Judicial Commissioners) applies in relation to a decision to renew a warrant as it applies in relation to a decision to issue a warrant (and accordingly any reference in that section to the person who decided to issue the warrant is to be read as a reference to the person who decided to renew it).

8 Sections 26 to 29 (additional safeguards) apply in relation to a decision to renew a warrant as they apply in relation to a decision to issue a warrant.

9 In this section—

“the relevant period” has the same meaning as in section 32;
“urgent warrant” is to be read in accordance with subsection (3) of that section.

10 This section is subject to section 40 (special rules for certain mutual assistance warrants).

^I14834 Modification of warrants¶

1 The provisions of a warrant issued under this Chapter may be modified at any time by an instrument issued by the person making the modification.

2 The only modifications that may be made under this section are—

a adding, varying or removing the name or description of a person, organisation or set of premises to which the warrant relates, and

b adding, varying or removing any factor specified in the warrant in accordance with section 31(8).

3 But a warrant may not be modified as mentioned in subsection (2)(a) if it relates only to a particular person or organisation, or to a single set of premises, as mentioned in section 17(1).

4 The decision to modify the provisions of a warrant must be taken personally by the person making the modification, and the instrument making the modification must be signed by that person.This is subject to section 36(8).

5 In this Chapter—

a a modification adding or varying a name or description as mentioned in paragraph (a) of subsection (2) is referred to as a “major modification”, and

b any other modification within that subsection is referred to as a “minor modification”.

6 Nothing in this section applies in relation to modifying the provisions of a warrant in a way which does not affect the conduct authorised or required by it.

7 Sections 35 to 38 contain further provision about making modifications under this section.

35 Persons who may make modifications¶

^I4761 A major modification may be made by—

a the Secretary of State, in the case of a warrant issued by the Secretary of State,

b a member of the Scottish Government, in the case of a warrant issued by the Scottish Ministers, or

c a senior official acting on behalf of the Secretary of State or (as the case may be) the Scottish Ministers.

^I4762 A minor modification may be made by—

a the Secretary of State, in the case of a warrant issued by the Secretary of State,

b a member of the Scottish Government, in the case of a warrant issued by the Scottish Ministers,

c a senior official acting on behalf of the Secretary of State or (as the case may be) the Scottish Ministers,

d the person to whom the warrant is addressed, or

e a person who holds a senior position in the same public authority as the person mentioned in paragraph (d).

^I4763 But if a person within subsection (2)(d) or (e) considers that there is an urgent need to make a major modification, that person (as well as a person within subsection (1)) may do so.Section 38 contains provision about the approval of major modifications made in urgent cases.

^I4764 Subsections (1) and (3) are subject to section 36(5) and (6) (special rules where any of sections 26 to 29 applies in relation to the making of a major modification).

^I4765 Subsections (2)(d) and (e) and (3) do not apply in the case of a mutual assistance warrant addressed to a person falling within section 18(1)(h) (competent authorities of overseas countries or territories).

6 For the purposes of subsection (2)(e) a person holds a senior position in a public authority if—

^I476a in the case of any of the intelligence services—

i the person is a member of the Senior Civil Service or a member of the Senior Management Structure of Her Majesty's Diplomatic Service, or

ii the person holds a position in the intelligence service of equivalent seniority to such a person;

^I563b in the case of the National Crime Agency, the person is a National Crime Agency officer of grade 2 or above;

^I563c in the case of the metropolitan police force, the Police Service of Northern Ireland or the Police Service of Scotland, a person is of or above the rank of superintendent;

^I563d in the case of Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs, the person is a member of the Senior Civil Service;

^I476e in the case of the Ministry of Defence—

i the person is a member of the Senior Civil Service, or

ii the person is of or above the rank of brigadier, commodore or air commodore.

^I4767 In this section “senior official” means—

a in the case of a warrant issued by the Secretary of State, a member of the Senior Civil Service or a member of the Senior Management Structure of Her Majesty's Diplomatic Service;

b in the case of a warrant issued by the Scottish Ministers, a member of the staff of the Scottish Administration who is a member of the Senior Civil Service.

^I62036 Further provision about modifications¶

1 A person may make a modification within subsection (2) only if the person considers—

a that the modification is necessary on any relevant grounds (see subsection (3)), and

b that the conduct authorised by the modification is proportionate to what is sought to be achieved by that conduct.

2 The modifications within this subsection are—

a a major modification adding the name or description of a person, organisation or set of premises to which the warrant relates, and

b a minor modification adding any factor specified in the warrant in accordance with section 31(8).

3 In subsection (1)(a) “relevant grounds” means—

a in the case of a warrant issued by the Secretary of State, grounds falling within section 20;

b in the case of a warrant issued by the Scottish Ministers, grounds falling within section 21(4);

and for the purposes of subsection (1) any reference to the Secretary of State in section 20(3)(b) or the Scottish Ministers in section 21(4)(b) is to be read as a reference to the person making the modification.

4 Sections 26 to 29 (additional safeguards) apply in relation to the making of a major modification within subsection (2)(a) above as they apply in relation to the issuing of a warrant.

5 Where section 26 applies in relation to the making of a major modification—

a the modification must be made by the Secretary of State, and

b the modification has effect only if the decision to make the modification has been approved by a Judicial Commissioner.

6 Where section 27, 28 or 29 applies in relation to the making of a major modification—

a the modification must be made by—

i the Secretary of State or (in the case of a warrant issued by the Scottish Ministers) a member of the Scottish Government, or

ii if a senior official acting on behalf of a person within sub-paragraph (i) considers that there is an urgent need to make the modification, that senior official, and

b except where the person making the modification considers that there is an urgent need to make it, the modification has effect only if the decision to make the modification has been approved by a Judicial Commissioner.

7 In a case where any of sections 26 to 29 applies in relation to the making of a major modification, section 23 (approval of warrants by Judicial Commissioners) applies in relation to the decision to make the modification as it applies in relation to a decision to issue a warrant, but as if—

a the references in subsection (1)(a) and (b) of that section to the warrant were references to the modification,

b any reference to the person who decided to issue the warrant were a reference to the person who decided to make the modification, and

c subsection (3) of this section applied for the purposes of subsection (1) of that section as it applies for the purposes of subsection (1) of this section.

Section 38 contains provision about the approval of major modifications made in urgent cases.

8 If, in a case where any of sections 26 to 29 applies in relation to the making of a major modification, it is not reasonably practicable for the instrument making the modification to be signed by the Secretary of State or (as the case may be) a member of the Scottish Government in accordance with section 34(4), the instrument may be signed by a senior official designated by the Secretary of State or (as the case may be) the Scottish Ministers for that purpose.

9 In such a case, the instrument making the modification must contain a statement that—

a it is not reasonably practicable for the instrument to be signed by the person who took the decision to make the modification, and

b the Secretary of State or (as the case may be) a member of the Scottish Government has personally and expressly authorised the making of the modification.

10 If at any time a person mentioned in section 35(2) considers that any factor specified in a warrant in accordance with section 31(8) is no longer relevant for identifying communications which, in the case of that warrant, are likely to be, or to include, communications falling within section 31(9)(a) or (b), the person must modify the warrant by removing that factor.

11 In this section “senior official” has the same meaning as in section 35.

^I49637 Notification of major modifications¶

1 As soon as is reasonably practicable after a person makes a major modification of a warrant under this Chapter, a Judicial Commissioner must be notified of the modification and the reasons for making it.

2 But subsection (1) does not apply where—

a the modification is made by virtue of section 35(3), or

b any of sections 26 to 29 applies in relation to the making of the modification.

3 Where a major modification is made by a senior official in accordance with section 35(1) or section 36(6)(a)(ii), the Secretary of State or (in the case of a warrant issued by the Scottish Ministers) a member of the Scottish Government must be notified personally of the modification and the reasons for making it.

4 In this section “senior official” has the same meaning as in section 35.

^I22738 Approval of major modifications made in urgent cases¶

1 This section applies where a person makes a major modification of a warrant under this Chapter by virtue of section 35(3).

2 This section also applies where—

a section 27, 28 or 29 applies in relation to the making of a major modification of a warrant under this Chapter,

b the person making the modification does so without the approval of a Judicial Commissioner, and

c the person considered that there was an urgent need to make the modification.

3 The person who made the modification must inform the appropriate person that it has been made.

4 In this section—

“the appropriate person” is—
1. in a case falling within subsection (1), a designated senior official, and
2. in a case falling within subsection (2), a Judicial Commissioner,
“designated senior official” means a senior official who has been designated by the Secretary of State or (in the case of warrants issued by the Scottish Ministers) the Scottish Ministers for the purposes of this section, and
“senior official” has the same meaning as in section 35.

5 The appropriate person must, before the end of the relevant period—

a decide whether to approve the decision to make the modification, and

b notify the person of the appropriate person's decision.

“The relevant period” means the period ending with the third working day after the day on which the modification was made.

6 As soon as is reasonably practicable after a designated senior official makes a decision under subsection (5)—

a a Judicial Commissioner must be notified of—

i the decision, and

ii if the senior official has decided to approve the decision to make the modification, the modification in question, and

b the Secretary of State or (in the case of a warrant issued by the Scottish Ministers) a member of the Scottish Government must be notified personally of the matters mentioned in paragraph (a)(i) and (ii).

7 If the appropriate person refuses to approve the decision to make the modification—

a the warrant (unless it no longer has effect) has effect as if the modification had not been made, and

b the person to whom the warrant is addressed must, so far as is reasonably practicable, secure that anything in the process of being done under the warrant by virtue of that modification stops as soon as possible,

and, in a case falling within subsection (2) above, section 23(5) does not apply in relation to the refusal to approve the decision.

8 Nothing in this section affects the lawfulness of—

a anything done under the warrant by virtue of the modification before the modification ceases to have effect;

b if anything is in the process of being done under the warrant by virtue of the modification when the modification ceases to have effect—

i anything done before that thing could be stopped, or

ii anything done which it is not reasonably practicable to stop.

^I54139 Cancellation of warrants¶

1 Any of the appropriate persons may cancel a warrant issued under this Chapter at any time.

2 If any of the appropriate persons considers that—

a a warrant issued under this Chapter is no longer necessary on any relevant grounds, or

b the conduct authorised by the warrant is no longer proportionate to what is sought to be achieved by that conduct,

the person must cancel the warrant.

3 In subsection (2)(a) “relevant grounds” means—

a in the case of a warrant issued by the Secretary of State, grounds falling within section 20;

b in the case of a warrant issued by the Scottish Ministers, grounds falling within section 21(4).

4 For the purpose of this section “the appropriate persons” are—

a in the case of a warrant issued by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of State or a senior official acting on behalf of the Secretary of State;

b in the case of a warrant issued by the Scottish Ministers, a member of the Scottish Government or a senior official acting on behalf of the Scottish Ministers.

5 Where a warrant is cancelled under this section, the person to whom the warrant was addressed must, so far as is reasonably practicable, secure that anything in the process of being done under the warrant stops as soon as possible.

6 A warrant that has been cancelled under this section may not be renewed.

7 In this section “senior official” means—

a in the case of a warrant issued by the Secretary of State, a member of the Senior Civil Service or a member of the Senior Management Structure of Her Majesty's Diplomatic Service;

b in the case of a warrant issued by the Scottish Ministers, a member of the staff of the Scottish Administration who is a member of the Senior Civil Service.

8 See also section 40 (which imposes a duty to cancel mutual assistance warrants in certain circumstances).

40 Special rules for certain mutual assistance warrants¶

^I4241 For the purposes of this section a warrant is a “relevant mutual assistance warrant” if—

a the warrant is for the purposes of a request for assistance made under ^F23... an international mutual assistance agreement by the competent authorities of a country or territory outside the United Kingdom, and

b either—

i it appears that the interception subject is outside the United Kingdom, or

ii the interception authorised or required by the warrant is to take place in relation only to premises outside the United Kingdom.

^I4242 The decision to issue a relevant mutual assistance warrant may be taken by a senior official designated by the Secretary of State for that purpose.

^I4243 In such a case, the warrant must contain—

a a statement that the warrant is issued for the purposes of a request for assistance made under ^F325... an international mutual assistance agreement ^F325... by the competent authorities of a country or territory outside the United Kingdom, and

b whichever of the following statements is applicable—

i a statement that the interception subject appears to be outside the United Kingdom;

ii a statement that the interception authorised or required by the warrant is to take place in relation only to premises outside the United Kingdom.

^I3364 A relevant mutual assistance warrant may be renewed by a senior official designated by the Secretary of State for that purpose; and references in section 33 to the appropriate person include, in the case of such a warrant, references to that senior official.

^I3365 Where a senior official renews a relevant mutual assistance warrant in accordance with subsection (4), the instrument renewing the warrant must contain—

a a statement that the renewal is for the purposes of a request for assistance made under ^F296... an international mutual assistance agreement ^F296... by the competent authorities of a country or territory outside the United Kingdom, and

b whichever of the following statements is applicable—

i a statement that the interception subject appears to be outside the United Kingdom;

ii a statement that the interception authorised or required by the warrant is to take place in relation only to premises outside the United Kingdom.

^I3366 Subsection (7) applies in a case where—

a a relevant mutual assistance warrant—

i was issued containing the statement set out in subsection (3)(b)(i), or

ii has been renewed by an instrument containing the statement set out in subsection (5)(b)(i), and

b the last renewal (if any) of the warrant was a renewal by a senior official in accordance with subsection (4).

^I3367 If the Secretary of State, or a senior official acting on behalf of the Secretary of State, believes that the person, group or organisation named or described in the warrant as the interception subject is in the United Kingdom, that person must cancel the warrant under section 39.

^I4248 In this section—

“the interception subject”, in relation to a warrant, means the person, group of persons or organisation to which the warrant relates;
“senior official” means a member of the Senior Civil Service or a member of the Senior Management Structure of Her Majesty's Diplomatic Service.

Implementation of warrants¶

^I44041 Implementation of warrants¶

1 This section applies to targeted interception warrants and mutual assistance warrants.

2 In giving effect to a warrant to which this section applies, the person to whom it is addressed (“the intercepting authority”) may (in addition to acting alone) act through, or together with, such other persons as the intercepting authority may require (whether under subsection (3) or otherwise) to provide the authority with assistance in giving effect to the warrant.

3 For the purpose of requiring any person to provide assistance in relation to a warrant to which this section applies, the intercepting authority may—

a serve a copy of the warrant on any person who the intercepting authority considers may be able to provide such assistance, or

b make arrangements for the service of a copy of the warrant on any such person.

4 A copy of a warrant may be served under subsection (3) on a person outside the United Kingdom for the purpose of requiring the person to provide such assistance in the form of conduct outside the United Kingdom.

5 For the purposes of this Act, the provision of assistance in giving effect to a warrant to which this section applies includes any disclosure to the intercepting authority, or to persons acting on behalf of the intercepting authority, of anything obtained under the warrant.

6 References in this section and sections 42 and 43 to the service of a copy of a warrant include—

a the service of a copy of one or more schedules contained in the warrant with the omission of the remainder of the warrant, and

b the service of a copy of the warrant with the omission of any schedule contained in the warrant.

^I10342 Service of warrants¶

1 This section applies to the service of warrants under section 41(3).

2 A copy of the warrant must be served in such a way as to bring the contents of the warrant to the attention of the person who the intercepting authority considers may be able to provide assistance in relation to it.

3 A copy of a warrant may be served on a person outside the United Kingdom in any of the following ways (as well as by electronic or other means of service)—

a by serving it at the person's principal office within the United Kingdom or, if the person has no such office in the United Kingdom, at any place in the United Kingdom where the person carries on business or conducts activities;

b if the person has specified an address in the United Kingdom as one at which the person, or someone on the person's behalf, will accept service of documents of the same description as a copy of a warrant, by serving it at that address;

c by making it available for inspection (whether to the person or to someone acting on the person's behalf) at a place in the United Kingdom (but this is subject to subsection (4)).

4 A copy of a warrant may be served on a person outside the United Kingdom in the way mentioned in subsection (3)(c) only if—

a it is not reasonably practicable for a copy to be served by any other means (whether as mentioned in subsection (3)(a) or (b) or otherwise), and

b the intercepting authority takes such steps as the authority considers appropriate for the purpose of bringing the contents of the warrant, and the availability of a copy for inspection, to the attention of the person.

5 The steps mentioned in subsection (4)(b) must be taken as soon as reasonably practicable after the copy of the warrant is made available for inspection.

6 In this section “the intercepting authority” has the same meaning as in section 41.

^I4643 Duty of operators to assist with implementation¶

1 A relevant operator that has been served with a copy of a warrant to which section 41 applies by (or on behalf of) the intercepting authority must take all steps for giving effect to the warrant that are notified to the relevant operator by (or on behalf of) the intercepting authority.This is subject to subsection (4).

2 In this section—

“relevant operator” means a postal operator or a telecommunications operator;
“the intercepting authority” has the same meaning as in section 41.

3 Subsection (1) applies whether or not the relevant operator is in the United Kingdom.

4 The relevant operator is not required to take any steps which it is not reasonably practicable for the relevant operator to take.

5 In determining for the purposes of subsection (4) whether it is reasonably practicable for a relevant operator outside the United Kingdom to take any steps in a country or territory outside the United Kingdom for giving effect to a warrant, the matters to be taken into account include the following—

a any requirements or restrictions under the law of that country or territory that are relevant to the taking of those steps, and

b the extent to which it is reasonably practicable to give effect to the warrant in a way that does not breach any of those requirements or restrictions.

6 Where obligations have been imposed on a relevant operator (“P”) under section 253 (technical capability notices), for the purposes of subsection (4) the steps which it is reasonably practicable for P to take include every step which it would have been reasonably practicable for P to take if P had complied with all of those obligations.

7 A person who knowingly fails to comply with subsection (1) is guilty of an offence and liable—

a on summary conviction in England and Wales—

i to imprisonment for a term not exceeding the general limit in a magistrates’ court (or 6 months, if the offence was committed before 2 May 2022), or

ii to a fine,

or to both;

b on summary conviction in Scotland—

i to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or

ii to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum,

or to both;

c on summary conviction in Northern Ireland—

i to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or

ii to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum,

or to both;

d on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to a fine, or to both.

8 The duty imposed by subsection (1) is enforceable (whether or not the person is in the United Kingdom) by civil proceedings by the Secretary of State for an injunction, or for specific performance of a statutory duty under section 45 of the Court of Session Act 1988, or for any other appropriate relief.

CHAPTER 2 Other forms of lawful interception¶

Interception for administrative or enforcement purposes¶

^I49045 Interception by providers of postal or telecommunications services¶

1 The interception of a communication is authorised by this section if the interception is carried out—

a by, or on behalf of, a person who provides a postal service or a telecommunications service, and

b for any of the purposes in subsection (2).

2 The purposes referred to in subsection (1) are—

a purposes relating to the provision or operation of the service;

b purposes relating to the enforcement, in relation to the service, of any enactment relating to—

i the use of postal or telecommunications services, or

ii the content of communications transmitted by means of such services;

c purposes relating to the provision of services or facilities aimed at preventing or restricting the viewing or publication of the content of communications transmitted by means of postal or telecommunications services.

3 A reference in this section to anything carried out for purposes relating to the provision or operation of a telecommunications service includes, among other things, a reference to anything done for the purposes of identifying, combating or preventing anything which could affect—

a any telecommunication system by means of which the service is provided, or

b any apparatus attached to such a system.

^I55346 Interception by businesses etc. for monitoring and record-keeping purposes¶

1 Conduct is authorised by this section if it is authorised by regulations made under subsection (2).

2 The Secretary of State may by regulations authorise conduct of a description specified in the regulations if that conduct appears to the Secretary of State to constitute a legitimate practice reasonably required for the purpose, in connection with the carrying on of any relevant activities (see subsection (4)), of monitoring or keeping a record of—

a communications by means of which transactions are entered into in the course of the relevant activities, or

b other communications relating to the relevant activities or taking place in the course of the carrying on of those activities.

3 But nothing in any regulations under subsection (2) may authorise the interception of any communication except in the course of its transmission using apparatus or services provided by or to the person carrying on the relevant activities for use (whether wholly or partly) in connection with those activities.

4 In this section “relevant activities” means—

a any business,

b any activities of a government department, the Welsh Government, a Northern Ireland department or any part of the Scottish Administration,

c any activities of a public authority, and

d any activities of any person or office holder on whom functions are conferred by or under any enactment.

^I13447 Postal services: interception for enforcement purposes¶

1 The interception of a communication in the course of its transmission by means of a public postal service is authorised by this section if it is carried out by an officer of Revenue and Customs under section 159 of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979, as applied by virtue of—

a section 105 of the Postal Services Act 2000 (power to open postal items etc.), or

b that section and another enactment.

2 The interception of a communication in the course of its transmission by means of a public postal service is authorised by this section if it is carried out under paragraph 9 of Schedule 7 to the Terrorism Act 2000 (port and border controls) or under paragraph 9 of Schedule 3 to the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019 (border security) .

^I54748 Interception by OFCOM in connection with wireless telegraphy¶

1 Conduct falling within subsection (2) is authorised by this section if it is carried out by OFCOM for purposes connected with a relevant matter (see subsection (3)).

2 The conduct referred to in subsection (1) is—

a the interception of a communication in the course of its transmission by means of a telecommunication system;

b the obtaining, by or in connection with the interception, of information about the sender or recipient, or intended recipient, of the communication (whether or not a person);

c the disclosure of anything obtained by conduct falling within paragraph (a) or (b).

3 Each of the following is a relevant matter for the purposes of subsection (1)—

a the grant of wireless telegraphy licences under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 (“the 2006 Act”);

b the prevention or detection of anything which constitutes interference with wireless telegraphy;

c the enforcement of—

i any provision of Part 2 (other than Chapter 2 and sections 27 to 31) or Part 3 of the 2006 Act, or

ii any enactment not falling within sub-paragraph (i) that relates to interference with wireless telegraphy.

4 In this section—

“interference”, in relation to wireless telegraphy, has the same meaning as in the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 (see section 115(3) of that Act);
“OFCOM” means the Office of Communications established by section 1 of the Office of Communications Act 2002;
“wireless telegraphy” has the same meaning as in the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 (see section 116 of that Act).

Interception taking place in certain institutions¶

^I29549 Interception in prisons¶

1 Conduct taking place in a prison is authorised by this section if it is conduct in exercise of any power conferred by or under prison rules.

2 In this section “prison rules” means any rules made under—

a section 47 of the Prison Act 1952,

b section 39 of the Prisons (Scotland) Act 1989, or

c section 13 of the Prison Act (Northern Ireland) 1953.

3 In this section “prison” means—

a any prison, young offender institution, young offenders centre, secure training centre, secure college or remand centre which—

i is under the general superintendence of, or is provided by, the Secretary of State under the Prison Act 1952, or

ii is under the general superintendence of, or is provided by, the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland under the Prison Act (Northern Ireland) 1953, or

b any prison, young offenders institution or remand centre which is under the general superintendence of the Scottish Ministers under the Prisons (Scotland) Act 1989,

and includes any contracted out prison, within the meaning of Part 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 or section 106(4) of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, and any legalised police cells within the meaning of section 14 of the Prisons (Scotland) Act 1989.

^I49250 Interception in psychiatric hospitals etc.¶

1 Conduct is authorised by this section if—

a it takes place in any hospital premises where high security psychiatric services are provided, and

b it is conduct in pursuance of, and in accordance with, any relevant direction given to the body providing those services at those premises.

2 “Relevant direction” means—

a a direction under section 4(3A)(a) of the National Health Service Act 2006, or

b a direction under section 19 or 23 of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006.

3 Conduct is authorised by this section if—

a it takes place in a state hospital, and

b it is conduct in pursuance of, and in accordance with, any direction given to the State Hospitals Board for Scotland under section 2(5) of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 (regulations and directions as to the exercise of their functions by health boards).

The reference to section 2(5) of that Act is to that provision as applied by Article 5(1) of, and the Schedule to, the State Hospitals Board for Scotland Order 1995 (which applies certain provisions of that Act to the State Hospitals Board).

4 Conduct is authorised by this section if it is conduct in exercise of any power conferred by or under—

a section 281 of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 (2003 asp 13) (power to withhold correspondence of certain persons detained in hospital), or

b section 284 of that Act (powers relating to the use of telephones by certain persons detained in hospital).

5 In this section—

“high security psychiatric services” has the same meaning as in section 4 of the National Health Service Act 2006;
“hospital premises” has the same meaning as in section 4(3) of that Act;
“state hospital” has the same meaning as in the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978.

^I12051 Interception in immigration detention facilities¶

1 Conduct taking place in immigration detention facilities is authorised by this section if it is conduct in exercise of any power conferred by or under relevant rules.

2 In this section—

“immigration detention facilities” means any removal centre, short-term holding facility or pre-departure accommodation;
“removal centre”, “short-term holding facility” and “pre-departure accommodation” have the meaning given by section 147 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999;
“relevant rules” means—
1. in the case of a removal centre, rules made under section 153 of that Act;
2. in the case of a short-term holding facility, rules made under, or having effect by virtue of, section 157 of that Act;
3. in the case of pre-departure accommodation, rules made under, or having effect by virtue of, section 157A of that Act.

Interception in accordance with overseas requests¶

^I23452 Interception in accordance with overseas requests¶

1 The interception of a communication in the course of its transmission by means of a telecommunication system is authorised by this section if conditions A to D are met.

2 Condition A is that the interception—

a is carried out by or on behalf of a telecommunications operator, and

b relates to the use of a telecommunications service provided by the telecommunications operator.

3 Condition B is that the interception is carried out in response to a request made in accordance with a relevant international agreement by the competent authorities of a country or territory outside the United Kingdom.In this subsection “relevant international agreement” means an international agreement to which the United Kingdom is a party and which is designated as a relevant international agreement by regulations made by the Secretary of State (see further subsections (6) and (7)).

4 Condition C is that the interception is carried out for the purpose of obtaining information about the communications of an individual—

a who is outside the United Kingdom, or

b who each of the following persons believes is outside the United Kingdom—

i the person making the request;

ii the person carrying out the interception.

5 Condition D is that any further conditions specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State for the purposes of this section are met.

6 Subsection (7) applies where an international agreement provides for requests for the interception of a communication to be made by the competent authorities of a country or territory, or of more than one country or territory, in which a person found guilty of a criminal offence may be sentenced to death for the offence under the general criminal law of the country or territory concerned.Such an offence is referred to in subsection (7) as a “death penalty offence”.

7 Where this subsection applies, the Secretary of State may not designate the agreement as a relevant international agreement unless the Secretary of State has sought, in respect of each country or territory referred to in subsection (6), a written assurance, or written assurances, relating to the non-use of information obtained by virtue of the agreement in connection with proceedings for a death penalty offence in the country or territory.

CHAPTER 3 Other provisions about interception¶

Restrictions on use or disclosure of material obtained under warrants etc.¶

^I36853 Safeguards relating to retention and disclosure of material¶

1 The issuing authority must ensure, in relation to every targeted interception warrant or mutual assistance warrant issued by that authority, that arrangements are in force for securing that the requirements of subsections (2) and (5) are met in relation to the material obtained under the warrant.This is subject to subsection (9).

2 The requirements of this subsection are met in relation to the material obtained under a warrant if each of the following is limited to the minimum that is necessary for the authorised purposes (see subsection (3))—

a the number of persons to whom any of the material is disclosed or otherwise made available;

b the extent to which any of the material is disclosed or otherwise made available;

c the extent to which any of the material is copied;

d the number of copies that are made.

3 For the purposes of this section something is necessary for the authorised purposes if, and only if—

a it is, or is likely to become, necessary on any of the grounds falling within section 20 on which a warrant under Chapter 1 of this Part may be necessary,

b it is necessary for facilitating the carrying out of any functions under this Act of the Secretary of State, the Scottish Ministers or the person to whom the warrant is or was addressed,

c it is necessary for facilitating the carrying out of any functions of the Judicial Commissioners or the Investigatory Powers Tribunal under or in relation to this Act,

d it is necessary to ensure that a person (“P”) who is conducting a criminal prosecution has the information P needs to determine what is required of P by P's duty to secure the fairness of the prosecution, or

e it is necessary for the performance of any duty imposed on any person by the Public Records Act 1958 or the Public Records Act (Northern Ireland) 1923.

4 The arrangements for the time being in force under this section for securing that the requirements of subsection (2) are met in relation to the material obtained under the warrant must include arrangements for securing that every copy made of any of that material is stored, for so long as it is retained, in a secure manner.

5 The requirements of this subsection are met in relation to the material obtained under a warrant if every copy made of any of that material (if not destroyed earlier) is destroyed as soon as there are no longer any relevant grounds for retaining it (see subsection (6)).

6 For the purposes of subsection (5), there are no longer any relevant grounds for retaining a copy of any material if, and only if—

a its retention is not necessary, or not likely to become necessary, on any of the grounds falling within section 20 on which a warrant under Chapter 1 of this Part may be necessary, and

b its retention is not necessary for any of the purposes mentioned in paragraphs (b) to (e) of subsection (3) above.

7 Where—

a a communication which has been intercepted in accordance with a targeted interception warrant or mutual assistance warrant is retained, following its examination, for purposes other than the destruction of the communication, and

b it is a communication that contains confidential journalistic material or identifies a source of journalistic information,

the person to whom the warrant is addressed must inform the Investigatory Powers Commissioner as soon as is reasonably practicable.

8 Subsection (9) applies if—

a any material obtained under the warrant has been handed over to any overseas authorities, or

b a copy of any such material has been given to any overseas authorities.

9 To the extent that the requirements of subsections (2) and (5) relate to any of the material mentioned in subsection (8)(a), or to the copy mentioned in subsection (8)(b), the arrangements made for the purposes of this section are not required to secure that those requirements are met (see instead section 54).

10 In this section—

“copy”, in relation to material obtained under a warrant, means any of the following (whether or not in documentary form)—
1. any copy, extract or summary of the material which identifies the material as having been obtained under the warrant, and
2. any record which—
  1. refers to any interception or to the obtaining of any material, and
  2. is a record of the identities of the persons to or by whom the material was sent, or to whom the material relates,
and “copied” is to be read accordingly;
“the issuing authority” means—
1. the Secretary of State, in the case of warrants issued by the Secretary of State;
2. the Scottish Ministers, in the case of warrants issued by the Scottish Ministers;
“overseas authorities” means authorities of a country or territory outside the United Kingdom.

^I34754 Safeguards relating to disclosure of material overseas¶

1 The issuing authority must ensure, in relation to every targeted interception warrant or mutual assistance warrant issued by that authority, that arrangements are in force for securing that—

a any material obtained under the warrant is handed over to overseas authorities only if the requirements of subsection (2) are met, and

b copies of any such material are given to overseas authorities only if those requirements are met.

2 The requirements of this subsection are met in the case of a warrant if it appears to the issuing authority—

a that requirements corresponding to the requirements of section 53(2) and (5) will apply, to such extent (if any) as the issuing authority considers appropriate, in relation to any of the material which is handed over, or any copy of which is given, to the authorities in question, and

b that restrictions are in force which would prevent, to such extent (if any) as the issuing authority considers appropriate, the doing of anything in, for the purposes of or in connection with any proceedings outside the United Kingdom which would result in a prohibited disclosure.

3 In subsection (2)(b) “prohibited disclosure” means a disclosure which, if made in the United Kingdom, would breach the prohibition in section 56(1).

4 In this section—

“copy” has the same meaning as in section 53;
“the issuing authority” means—
1. the Secretary of State, in the case of warrants issued by the Secretary of State;
2. the Scottish Ministers, in the case of warrants issued by the Scottish Ministers;
“overseas authorities” means authorities of a country or territory outside the United Kingdom.

^I15255 Additional safeguards for items subject to legal privilege¶

1 This section applies where an item subject to legal privilege which has been intercepted in accordance with a targeted interception warrant or mutual assistance warrant is retained, following its examination, for purposes other than the destruction of the item.

2 The person to whom the warrant is addressed must inform the Investigatory Powers Commissioner of the retention of the item as soon as is reasonably practicable.

3 Unless the Investigatory Powers Commissioner considers that subsection (5) applies to the item, the Commissioner must—

a direct that the item is destroyed, or

b impose one or more conditions as to the use or retention of that item.

4 If the Investigatory Powers Commissioner considers that subsection (5) applies to the item, the Commissioner may nevertheless impose such conditions under subsection (3)(b) as the Commissioner considers necessary for the purpose of protecting the public interest in the confidentiality of items subject to legal privilege.

5 This subsection applies to an item subject to legal privilege if—

a the public interest in retaining the item outweighs the public interest in the confidentiality of items subject to legal privilege, and

b retaining the item is necessary in the interests of national security or for the purpose of preventing death or significant injury.

6 The Investigatory Powers Commissioner—

a may require an affected party to make representations about how the Commissioner should exercise any function under subsection (3), and

b must have regard to any such representations made by an affected party (whether or not as a result of a requirement imposed under paragraph (a)).

7 Each of the following is an “affected party” for the purposes of subsection (6)—

a the person who decided to issue the warrant;

b the person to whom the warrant is or was addressed.

^I31056 Exclusion of matters from legal proceedings etc.¶

1 No evidence may be adduced, question asked, assertion or disclosure made or other thing done in, for the purposes of or in connection with any legal proceedings or Inquiries Act proceedings which (in any manner)—

a discloses, in circumstances from which its origin in interception-related conduct may be inferred—

i any content of an intercepted communication, or

ii any secondary data obtained from a communication, or

b tends to suggest that any interception-related conduct has or may have occurred or may be going to occur.

This is subject to Schedule 3 (exceptions).

2 “Interception-related conduct” means—

a conduct by a person within subsection (3) that is, or in the absence of any lawful authority would be, an offence under section 3(1) (offence of unlawful interception);

b a breach of the prohibition imposed by section 9 (restriction on requesting interception by overseas authorities);

c a breach of the prohibition imposed by section 10 (restriction on requesting assistance under mutual assistance agreements etc.);

d the making of an application by any person for a warrant, or the issue of a warrant, under Chapter 1 of this Part;

e the imposition of any requirement on any person to provide assistance in giving effect to a targeted interception warrant or mutual assistance warrant.

3 The persons referred to in subsection (2)(a) are—

a any person who is an intercepting authority (see section 18);

b any person holding office under the Crown;

c any person deemed to be the proper officer of Revenue and Customs by virtue of section 8(2) of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979;

d any person employed by, or for the purposes of, a police force or the tri-service serious crime unit;

e any postal operator or telecommunications operator;

f any person employed or engaged for the purposes of the business of a postal operator or telecommunications operator.

4 Any reference in subsection (1) to interception-related conduct also includes any conduct taking place before the coming into force of this section and consisting of—

a conduct by a person within subsection (3) that—

i was an offence under section 1(1) or (2) of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (“RIPA”), or

ii would have been such an offence in the absence of any lawful authority (within the meaning of section 1(5) of RIPA);

b conduct by a person within subsection (3) that—

i was an offence under section 1 of the Interception of Communications Act 1985, or

ii would have been such an offence in the absence of subsections (2) and (3) of that section;

c a breach by the Secretary of State of the duty under section 1(4) of RIPA (restriction on requesting assistance under mutual assistance agreements);

d the making of an application by any person for a warrant, or the issue of a warrant, under—

i Chapter 1 of Part 1 of RIPA, or

ii the Interception of Communications Act 1985;

e the imposition of any requirement on any person to provide assistance in giving effect to a warrant under Chapter 1 of Part 1 of RIPA.

5 In this section—

“Inquiries Act proceedings” means proceedings of an inquiry under the Inquiries Act 2005;
“intercepted communication” means any communication intercepted in the course of its transmission by means of a postal service or telecommunication system.

^I31957 Duty not to make unauthorised disclosures¶

1 A person to whom this section applies must not make an unauthorised disclosure to another person.

2 A person makes an unauthorised disclosure for the purposes of this section if—

a the person discloses any of the matters within subsection (4) in relation to—

i a warrant under Chapter 1 of this Part, or

ii a warrant under Chapter 1 of Part 1 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000, and

b the disclosure is not an excepted disclosure (see section 58).

3 This section applies to the following persons—

a any person who is an intercepting authority (see section 18);

b any person holding office under the Crown;

c any person employed by, or for the purposes of, a police force or the tri-service serious crime unit;

d any postal operator or telecommunications operator;

e any person employed or engaged for the purposes of the business of a postal operator or telecommunications operator;

f any person to whom any of the matters within subsection (4) have been disclosed in relation to a warrant mentioned in subsection (2)(a).

4 The matters referred to in subsection (2)(a) are—

a the existence or contents of the warrant;

b the details of the issue of the warrant or of any renewal or modification of the warrant;

c the existence or contents of any requirement to provide assistance in giving effect to the warrant;

d the steps taken in pursuance of the warrant or of any such requirement;

e any of the material obtained under the warrant.

58 Section 57: meaning of “excepted disclosure”¶

^I6091 For the purposes of section 57 a disclosure made in relation to a warrant is an “excepted disclosure” if it falls within any of the Heads set out in—

a subsection (2) (disclosures authorised by warrant etc.);

b subsection (4) (oversight bodies);

c subsection (5) (legal advisers);

d subsection (8) (disclosures of a general nature).

^I6092 Head 1 is—

a a disclosure authorised by the warrant;

b a disclosure authorised by the person to whom the warrant is or was addressed or under any arrangements made by that person for the purposes of this section;

c a disclosure authorised by the terms of any requirement to provide assistance in giving effect to the warrant (including any requirement for disclosure imposed by virtue of section 41(5) or, in the case of a warrant under Chapter 1 of Part 1 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (“RIPA”), section 11(9) of RIPA).

^I5543 But subsection (2)(b) does not apply in the case of a mutual assistance warrant that is or was addressed to a person falling within section 18(1)(h) (competent authorities of overseas countries or territories).

^I6094 Head 2 is—

a in the case of a warrant under Chapter 1 of this Part, a disclosure made to, or authorised by, a Judicial Commissioner;

b in the case of a warrant under Chapter 1 of Part 1 of RIPA, a disclosure made to, or authorised by, the Interception of Communications Commissioner or a Judicial Commissioner;

c a disclosure made to the Director General of the Independent Office for Police Conduct for the purposes of facilitating the carrying out of any of the Director General’s functions;

ca a disclosure made to the Service Police Complaints Commissioner for the purposes of facilitating the carrying out of any of the Commissioner’s functions;

d a disclosure made to the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament for the purposes of facilitating the carrying out of any of its functions.

e a disclosure made to the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery for the purpose of facilitating the carrying out of any of the functions of the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery.

^I6095 Head 3 is—

a a disclosure made by a legal adviser—

i in contemplation of, or in connection with, any legal proceedings, and

ii for the purposes of those proceedings;

b a disclosure made—

i by a professional legal adviser (“L”) to L's client or a representative of L's client, or

ii by L's client, or by a representative of L's client, to L,

in connection with the giving, by L to L's client, of advice about the effect of the relevant provisions (see subsection (7)).

^I6096 But a disclosure within Head 3 is not an excepted disclosure if it is made with the intention of furthering a criminal purpose.

^I6097 In subsection (5)(b) “the relevant provisions” means—

a in the case of a warrant under Chapter 1 of this Part, the provisions of this Part;

b in the case of a warrant under Chapter 1 of Part 1 of RIPA, the provisions of that Chapter.

^I6098 Head 4 is—

a a disclosure that—

i is made by a postal operator or a telecommunications operator in accordance with a requirement imposed by regulations made by the Secretary of State, and

ii consists of statistical information of a description specified in the regulations;

b a disclosure of information that does not relate to any particular warrant under Chapter 1 of this Part or under Chapter 1 of Part 1 of RIPA but relates to any such warrants in general.

^I6099 Nothing in this section affects the operation of section 56 (which, among other things, prohibits the making of certain disclosures in, for the purposes of or in connection with legal proceedings).

^I62259 Offence of making unauthorised disclosures¶

1 A person who fails to comply with section 57(1) commits an offence.

2 A person who is guilty of an offence under this section is liable—

a on summary conviction in England and Wales—

i to imprisonment for a term not exceeding the general limit in a magistrates’ court (or 6 months, if the offence was committed before 2 May 2022), or

ii to a fine,

or to both;

b on summary conviction in Scotland—

i to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or

ii to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum,

or to both;

c on summary conviction in Northern Ireland—

i to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or

ii to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum,

or to both;

d on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or to a fine, or to both.

3 In proceedings against any person for an offence under this section in respect of any disclosure, it is a defence for the person to show that the person could not reasonably have been expected, after first becoming aware of the matter disclosed, to take steps to prevent the disclosure.

Interpretation¶

60 Part 2: interpretation¶

^I369^I4551 In this Part—

^F255...
“intercepting authority” is to be read in accordance with section 18;
“international mutual assistance agreement” has the meaning given by section 10(3);
“mutual assistance warrant” has the meaning given by section 15(4);
“police force” means any of the following—
1. any police force maintained under section 2 of the Police Act 1996;
2. the metropolitan police force;
3. the City of London police force;
4. the Police Service of Scotland;
5. the Police Service of Northern Ireland;
6. the Ministry of Defence Police;
7. the Royal Navy Police;
8. the Royal Military Police;
9. the Royal Air Force Police;
10. the British Transport Police Force;
“relevant content”, in relation to a targeted examination warrant, has the meaning given by section 15(3);
“relevant Scottish application” has the meaning given by section 22;
“secondary data” has the meaning given by section 16, and references to obtaining secondary data from a communication are to be read in accordance with that section;
“targeted examination warrant” has the meaning given by section 15(3).

^I4652 In this Part references to a member of a police force, in relation to the Royal Navy Police, the Royal Military Police or the Royal Air Force Police, do not include any member of that force who is not for the time being attached to, or serving with, that force or another of those police forces.

^I4653 See also—

section 261 (telecommunications definitions),
section 262 (postal definitions),
section 263 (general definitions),
section 264 (general definitions: “journalistic material” etc.),
section 265 (index of defined expressions).

Part 3 Authorisations for obtaining communications data¶

Targeted authorisations for obtaining data: the Investigatory Powers Commissioner¶

60A Power of Investigatory Powers Commissioner to grant authorisations¶

1 Subsection (2) applies if the Investigatory Powers Commissioner, on an application made by a relevant public authority, considers—

a that it is necessary for the relevant public authority to obtain communications data for a purpose falling within subsection (7),

b that it is necessary for the relevant public authority to obtain the data—

i for the purposes of a specific investigation or a specific operation, or

ii for the purposes of testing, maintaining or developing equipment, systems or other capabilities relating to the availability or obtaining of communications data, and

c that the conduct authorised by the authorisation is proportionate to what is sought to be achieved.

2 The Investigatory Powers Commissioner may authorise the relevant public authority to engage in any conduct which—

a is for the purpose of obtaining the data from any person, and

b relates to—

i a telecommunication system, or

ii data derived from a telecommunication system.

3 Subsections (1) and (2) are subject to—

a section 62 (restrictions in relation to internet connection records),

b sections 70, 73 and 75 and Schedule 4 (restrictions relating to certain relevant public authorities),

c section 76 (requirement to consult a single point of contact), and

d section 77 (Commissioner approval for authorisations to identify or confirm journalistic sources).

4 Authorised conduct may, in particular, consist of the relevant public authority—

a obtaining the communications data itself from any person or telecommunication system,

b asking any person whom the relevant public authority believes is, or may be, in possession of the communications data or capable of obtaining it—

i to obtain the data (if not already in possession of it), and

ii to disclose the data (whether already in the person’s possession or subsequently obtained by that person) to the relevant public authority, or

c requiring by notice a telecommunications operator whom the relevant public authority believes is, or may be, in possession of the communications data or capable of obtaining it—

i to obtain the data (if not already in possession of it), and

ii to disclose the data (whether already in the operator’s possession or subsequently obtained by the operator) to the relevant public authority.

5 An authorisation—

a may relate to data whether or not in existence at the time of the authorisation,

b may authorise the obtaining or disclosure of data by a person other than the relevant public authority, or any other conduct by such a person, which enables or facilitates the obtaining of the communications data concerned, and

c may, in particular, require a telecommunications operator who controls or provides a telecommunications system to obtain or disclose data relating to the use of a telecommunications service provided by another telecommunications operator in relation to that system.

6 An authorisation may not authorise any conduct consisting in the interception of communications in the course of their transmission by means of a telecommunication system.

7 It is necessary to obtain communications data for a purpose falling within this subsection if it is necessary to obtain the data—

a in the interests of national security,

b for the applicable crime purpose (see subsection (8)),

c in the interests of the economic well-being of the United Kingdom so far as those interests are also relevant to the interests of national security,

d in the interests of public safety,

e for the purpose of preventing death or injury or any damage to a person’s physical or mental health, or of mitigating any injury or damage to a person’s physical or mental health,

f to assist investigations into alleged miscarriages of justice, or

g where a person (“P”) has died or is unable to identify themselves because of a physical or mental condition—

i to assist in identifying P, or

ii to obtain information about P’s next of kin or other persons connected with P or about the reasons for P’s death or condition.

8 In subsection (7)(b), “the applicable crime purpose” means—

a where the communications data is wholly or partly events data, the purpose of preventing or detecting serious crime;

b in any other case, the purpose of preventing or detecting crime or of preventing disorder.

9 The fact that the communications data which would be obtained in pursuance of an authorisation relates to the activities in the British Islands of a trade union is not, of itself, sufficient to establish that it is necessary to obtain the data for a purpose falling within subsection (7).

10 See—

a sections 70 and 73 for the meaning of “relevant public authority”;

b section 84 for the way in which this Part applies to postal operators and postal services;

c section 86(2A) for the meaning of “serious crime”.

Targeted authorisations for obtaining data : designated senior officers ¶

61 Power of designated senior officers to grant authorisations¶

^I1221 Subsection (2) applies if a designated senior officer of a relevant public authority considers—

a that it is necessary to obtain communications data for a purpose falling within subsection (7),

b that it is necessary to obtain the data—

i for the purposes of a specific investigation or a specific operation, or

ii for the purposes of testing, maintaining or developing equipment, systems or other capabilities relating to the availability or obtaining of communications data, and

c that the conduct authorised by the authorisation is proportionate to what is sought to be achieved.

^I1222 The designated senior officer may authorise any officer of the authority to engage in any conduct which—

a is for the purpose of obtaining the data from any person, and

b relates to—

i a telecommunication system, or

ii data derived from a telecommunication system.

^I1223 Subsections (1) and (2) are subject to—

a section 62 (restrictions in relation to internet connection records),

b section 63 (additional restrictions on grant of authorisations),

c sections 70 , 73 and 75 and Schedule 4 (restrictions relating to certain relevant public authorities),

d section 76 (requirement to consult a single point of contact), and

e section 77 (Commissioner approval for authorisations to identify or confirm journalistic sources).

^I1224 Authorised conduct may, in particular, consist of an authorised officer—

a obtaining the communications data themselves from any person or telecommunication system,

b asking any person whom the authorised officer believes is, or may be, in possession of the communications data or capable of obtaining it—

i to obtain the data (if not already in possession of it), and

ii to disclose the data (whether already in the person's possession or subsequently obtained by that person) to a person identified by, or in accordance with, the authorisation, or

c requiring by notice a telecommunications operator whom the authorised officer believes is, or may be, in possession of the communications data or capable of obtaining it—

i to obtain the data (if not already in possession of it), and

ii to disclose the data (whether already in the operator's possession or subsequently obtained by the operator) to a person identified by, or in accordance with, the authorisation.

^I1225 An authorisation—

a may relate to data whether or not in existence at the time of the authorisation,

b may authorise the obtaining or disclosure of data by a person who is not an authorised officer, or any other conduct by such a person, which enables or facilitates the obtaining of the communications data concerned, and

c may, in particular, require a telecommunications operator who controls or provides a telecommunication system to obtain or disclose data relating to the use of a telecommunications service provided by another telecommunications operator in relation to that system.

^I1226 An authorisation—

a may not authorise any conduct consisting in the interception of communications in the course of their transmission by means of a telecommunication system, and

b may not authorise an authorised officer to ask or require, in the circumstances mentioned in subsection (4)(b) or (c), a person to disclose the data to any person other than—

i an authorised officer, or

ii an officer of the same relevant public authority as an authorised officer.

7 It is necessary to obtain communications data for a purpose falling within this subsection if it is necessary to obtain the data—

^I237^I608a in the interests of national security,

^I237^I608b for the applicable crime purpose (see subsection (7A)), or

^I237^I608c in the interests of the economic well-being of the United Kingdom so far as those interests are also relevant to the interests of national security,

^F99d . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

^F99e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

^F99f . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

^F99g . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

^F99h . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

^F99i . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

^F99j . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7A In subsection (7)(b), “the applicable crime purpose” means—

a where the communications data is wholly or partly events data, the purpose of preventing or detecting serious crime;

b in any other case, the purpose of preventing or detecting crime or of preventing disorder.

^I1228 The fact that the communications data which would be obtained in pursuance of an authorisation relates to the activities in the British Islands of a trade union is not, of itself, sufficient to establish that it is necessary to obtain the data for a purpose falling within subsection (7).

^I1229 See—

a sections 70 and 73 for the meanings of “designated senior officer” and “relevant public authority”;

b section 84 for the way in which this Part applies to postal operators and postal services.

c section 86(2A) for the meaning of “serious crime”.

61A Power of designated senior officers to grant authorisations: urgent cases¶

1 Subsection (2) applies if a designated senior officer of a relevant public authority considers—

a that it is necessary to obtain communications data for a purpose falling within subsection (7),

b that it is necessary to obtain the data for the purposes of a specific investigation or a specific operation,

c that there is an urgent need to obtain the data, and

d that the conduct authorised by the authorisation is proportionate to what is sought to be achieved.

2 The designated senior officer may authorise any officer of the relevant public authority to engage in any conduct which—

a is for the purpose of obtaining the data from any person, and

b relates to—

i a telecommunication system, or

ii data derived from a telecommunication system.

3 Subsections (1) and (2) are subject to—

a section 62 (restrictions in relation to internet connection records),

b sections 70, 73 and 75 and Schedule 4 (restrictions relating to certain relevant public authorities),

d section 76 (requirement to consult a single point of contact), and

e section 77 (Commissioner approval for authorisations to identify or confirm journalistic sources).

4 Authorised conduct may, in particular, consist of an authorised officer—

a obtaining the communications data themselves from any person or telecommunication system,

b asking any person whom the authorised officer believes is, or may be, in possession of the communications data or capable of obtaining it—

i to obtain the data (if not already in possession of it), and

ii to disclose the data (whether already in the person’s possession or subsequently obtained by that person) to a person identified by, or in accordance with, the authorisation, or

c requiring by notice a telecommunications operator whom the authorised officer believes is, or may be, in possession of the communications data or capable of obtaining it—

i to obtain the data (if not already in possession of it), and

ii to disclose the data (whether already in the operator’s possession or subsequently obtained by the operator) to a person identified by, or in accordance with, the authorisation.

5 An authorisation—

a may relate to data whether or not in existence at the time of the authorisation,

6 An authorisation—

a may not authorise any conduct consisting in the interception of communications in the course of their transmission by means of a telecommunication system, and

b may not authorise an authorised officer to ask or require, in the circumstances mentioned in subsection (4)(b) or (c), a person to disclose the data to any person other than—

i an authorised officer, or

ii an officer of the same relevant public authority as an authorised officer.

7 It is necessary to obtain communications data for a purpose falling within this subsection if it is necessary to obtain the data—

a for the applicable crime purpose (see subsection (8)),

b in the interests of public safety,

c for the purpose of preventing death or injury or any damage to a person’s physical or mental health, or of mitigating any injury or damage to a person’s physical or mental health,

d to assist investigations into alleged miscarriages of justice, or

e where a person (“P”) has died or is unable to identify themselves because of a physical or mental condition—

i to assist in identifying P, or

ii to obtain information about P’s next of kin or other persons connected with P or about the reasons for P’s death or condition.

8 In subsection (7)(a), “the applicable crime purpose” means—

a where the communications data is wholly or partly events data, the purpose of preventing or detecting serious crime;

b in any other case, the purpose of preventing or detecting crime or of preventing disorder.

10 See—

a sections 70 and 73 for the meanings of “designated senior officer” and “relevant public authority”;

b section 84 for the way in which this Part applies to postal operators and postal services;

c section 86(2A) for the meaning of “serious crime”.

Further provision about authorisations¶

^I23262 Restrictions in relation to internet connection records¶

A1 The Investigatory Powers Commissioner may not, on the application of a local authority, grant an authorisation under section 60A for the purpose of obtaining data which is, or can only be obtained by processing, an internet connection record.

A2 The Investigatory Powers Commissioner may not, on the application of a relevant public authority which is not a local authority, grant an authorisation under section 60A for the purpose of obtaining data which is, or can only be obtained by processing, an internet connection record unless condition A, B , C or D1 is met.

^F721 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2 A designated senior officer of a relevant public authority which is not a local authority may not grant an authorisation under section 61 or 61A for the purpose of obtaining data which is, or can only be obtained by processing, an internet connection record unless condition A, B , C or D2 is met.

3 Condition A is that the person with power to grant the authorisation considers that it is necessary, for a purpose falling within section 60A(7), 61(7) or 61A(7) (as applicable), to obtain the data to identify which person or apparatus is using an internet service where—

a the service and time of use are already known, but

b the identity of the person or apparatus using the service is not known.

4 Condition B is that—

a the purpose for which the data is to be obtained falls within section 60A(7), 61(7) or 61A(7) (as applicable) but is not the purpose of preventing or detecting serious crime mentioned in section 60A(8)(a), 61(7A)(a) or 61A(8)(a) or the purpose of preventing or detecting crime mentioned in section 60A(8)(b), 61(7A)(b) or 61A(8)(b), and

b the person with power to grant the authorisation considers that it is necessary to obtain the data to identify—

i which internet communications service is being used, and when and how it is being used, by a person or apparatus whose identity is already known,

ii where or when a person or apparatus whose identity is already known is obtaining access to, or running, a computer file or computer program which wholly or mainly involves making available, or acquiring, material whose possession is a crime, or

iii which internet service is being used, and when and how it is being used, by a person or apparatus whose identity is already known.

5 Condition C is that—

a either—

i the purpose for which the data is to be obtained is the purpose of preventing or detecting serious crime mentioned in section 60A(8)(a), 61(7A)(a) or 61A(8)(a), or

ii the purpose for which the data is to be obtained is the purpose of preventing or detecting crime mentioned in section 60A(8)(b), 61(7A)(b) or 61A(8)(b) and the crime to be prevented or detected is serious crime, and

^F280b . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

c the person with power to grant the authorisation considers that it is necessary to obtain the data to identify—

i which internet communications service is being used, and when and how it is being used, by a person or apparatus whose identity is already known,

iii which internet service is being used, and when and how it is being used, by a person or apparatus whose identity is already known.

5A Condition D1 is that—

a the application is made by a relevant public authority which is specified in column 1 of the table (see below), and

b the Investigatory Powers Commissioner considers that it is necessary, for a purpose described in the corresponding entry in column 2 of the table, to identify which persons or apparatuses are using one or more specified internet services in a specified period.

1 (applicant)	2 (description(s) of purpose)
Security Service, Secret Intelligence Service or GCHQ	A purpose falling within subsection (7)(a) or (c) of section 60A, or falling within subsection (7)(b) of that section by virtue of subsection (8)(a) of that section.
National Crime Agency	A purpose falling within subsection (7)(b) of section 60A by virtue of subsection (8)(a) of that section.

5B Condition D2 is that—

a the relevant public authority whose designated senior officer has power to grant the authorisation is specified in column 1 of the table (see below), and

b that officer considers that it is necessary, for a purpose described in the corresponding entry in column 2 or 3 of the table (as applicable), to identify which persons or apparatuses are using one or more specified internet services in a specified period.

1 (relevant public authority)	2 (description of purpose: authorisation under section 61)	3 (description of purpose: authorisation under section 61A)
Security Service, Secret Intelligence Service or GCHQ	A purpose falling within section 61(7)(a) or (c).	A purpose falling within subsection (7)(a) of section 61A by virtue of subsection (8)(a) of that section.
National Crime Agency		A purpose falling within subsection (7)(a) of section 61A by virtue of subsection (8)(a) of that section.

5C In subsections (5A)(b) and (5B)(b) “specified” means specified in the application for the authorisation.

^F2116 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7 In this Act “internet connection record” means communications data which—

a may be used to identify, or assist in identifying, a telecommunications service to which a communication is transmitted by means of a telecommunication system for the purpose of obtaining access to, or running, a computer file or computer program, and

b comprises data generated or processed by a telecommunications operator in the process of supplying the telecommunications service to the sender of the communication (whether or not a person).

^I63963 Additional restrictions on grant of authorisations under section 61 ¶

1 A designated senior officer may not grant an authorisation under section 61 for the purposes of a specific investigation or a specific operation if the officer is working on that investigation or operation.

2 But, if the designated senior officer considers that there are exceptional circumstances which mean that subsection (1) should not apply in a particular case, that subsection does not apply in that case.

3 Examples of exceptional circumstances include—

a an imminent threat to life or another emergency,

b the investigation or operation concerned is one where there is an exceptional need, in the interests of national security, to keep knowledge of it to a minimum, or

c there is an opportunity to obtain information where—

i the opportunity is rare,

ii the time to act is short, and

iii the need to obtain the information is significant and in the interests of national security.

^F141d . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

^I59064 Procedure for authorisations and authorised notices¶

1 An authorisation must specify—

^F100a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

aa whether the authorisation has been granted by the Investigatory Powers Commissioner under section 60A or by a designated senior officer under section 61 or 61A;

b the matters falling within section 60A(7), 61(7) or 61A(7) (as applicable) by reference to which it is granted,

c the conduct that is authorised,

d the data or description of data to be obtained, and

e the persons or descriptions of persons to whom the data is to be, or may be, disclosed or how to identify such persons.

1A An authorisation granted by a designated senior officer under section 61 or 61A must also specify the office, rank or position held by the officer.

2 An authorisation which authorises a person to impose requirements by notice on a telecommunications operator must also specify—

a the operator concerned, and

b the nature of the requirements that are to be imposed,

but need not specify the other contents of the notice.

3 The notice itself—

a must specify—

i the office, rank or position held by the person giving it,

ii the requirements that are being imposed, and

iii the telecommunications operator on whom the requirements are being imposed, and

b must be given in writing or (if not in writing) in a manner that produces a record of its having been given.

4 An authorisation must be applied for, and granted, in writing or (if not in writing) in a manner that produces a record of its having been applied for or granted.

^I28965 Duration and cancellation of authorisations and notices¶

1 An authorisation under section 60A or 61 ceases to have effect at the end of the period of one month beginning with the date on which it is granted.

2 An authorisation under section 60A or 61 may be renewed at any time before the end of that period by the grant of a further authorisation.

3 Subsection (1) has effect in relation to a renewed authorisation as if the period of one month mentioned in that subsection did not begin until the end of the period of one month applicable to the authorisation that is current at the time of the renewal.

3A An authorisation under section 61A ceases to have effect at the end of the period of 3 days beginning with the date on which it is granted.

3B Where the Investigatory Powers Commissioner has granted an authorisation under section 60A to a relevant public authority—

a the Investigatory Powers Commissioner or an officer of the authority may cancel it at any time, and

b the Investigatory Powers Commissioner or an officer of the authority must cancel it if the Commissioner or (as the case may be) the officer considers that the requirements of this Part would not be satisfied in relation to granting an equivalent new authorisation.

4 A designated senior officer who has granted an authorisation under section 61 or 61A—

a may cancel it at any time, and

b must cancel it if the designated senior officer considers that the requirements of this Part would not be satisfied in relation to granting an equivalent new authorisation.

5 The Secretary of State may by regulations provide for the person by whom any function under subsection (4) is to be exercised where the person who would otherwise have exercised it is no longer available to do so.

6 Such regulations may, in particular, provide for the person by whom the function is to be exercised to be a person appointed in accordance with the regulations.

7 A notice given in pursuance of an authorisation (and any requirement imposed by the notice)—

a is not affected by the authorisation subsequently ceasing to have effect under subsection (1) or (3A), but

b is cancelled if the authorisation is cancelled under subsection (3B) or (4).

^I30766 Duties of telecommunications operators in relation to authorisations¶

1 It is the duty of a telecommunications operator on whom a requirement is imposed by notice given in pursuance of an authorisation to comply with that requirement.

2 It is the duty of a telecommunications operator who is obtaining or disclosing communications data, in response to a request or requirement for the data in pursuance of an authorisation, to obtain or disclose the data in a way that minimises the amount of data that needs to be processed for the purpose concerned.

3 A person who is under a duty by virtue of subsection (1) or (2) is not required to take any steps in pursuance of that duty which it is not reasonably practicable for that person to take.

4 For the purposes of subsection (3), where obligations have been imposed on a telecommunications operator (“P”) under section 253 (maintenance of technical capability), the steps which it is reasonably practicable for P to take include every step which it would have been reasonably practicable for P to take if P had complied with all of those obligations.

5 The duty imposed by subsection (1) or (2) is enforceable by civil proceedings by the Secretary of State for an injunction, or for specific performance of a statutory duty under section 45 of the Court of Session Act 1988, or for any other appropriate relief.

Filtering arrangements for obtaining data¶

^I20667 Filtering arrangements for obtaining data¶

1 The Secretary of State may establish, maintain and operate arrangements for the purposes of—

a assisting a person, who is considering whether to grant an authorisation, to determine whether the requirements of this Part in relation to granting the authorisation are satisfied, or

b facilitating the lawful, efficient and effective obtaining of communications data from any person by relevant public authorities in pursuance of an authorisation.

2 Arrangements under subsection (1) (“filtering arrangements”) may, in particular, involve the obtaining of communications data in pursuance of an authorisation (“the target data”) by means of—

a a request to the Secretary of State to obtain the target data on behalf of an authorised officer, and

b the Secretary of State—

i obtaining the target data or data from which the target data may be derived,

ii processing the target data or the data from which it may be derived (and retaining data temporarily for that purpose), and

iii disclosing the target data to the person identified for this purpose by, or in accordance with, the authorisation.

3 Filtering arrangements may, in particular, involve the generation or use by the Secretary of State of information—

a for the purpose mentioned in subsection (1)(a), or

b for the purposes of—

i the support, maintenance, oversight, operation or administration of the arrangements, or

ii the functions of the Investigatory Powers Commissioner mentioned in subsection (4) or (5).

4 Filtering arrangements must involve the generation and retention of such information or documents as the Investigatory Powers Commissioner considers appropriate for the purposes of the functions of the Commissioner under section 229(1) of keeping under review the exercise by public authorities of functions under this Part.

5 The Secretary of State must consult the Investigatory Powers Commissioner about the principles on the basis of which the Secretary of State intends to establish, maintain or operate any arrangements for the purpose mentioned in subsection (1)(a).

^I30968 Use of filtering arrangements in pursuance of an authorisation¶

1 This section applies in relation to the use of the filtering arrangements in pursuance of an authorisation.

2 The filtering arrangements may be used—

a to obtain and disclose communications data in pursuance of an authorisation, only if the authorisation specifically authorises the use of the arrangements to obtain and disclose the data,

b to process data in pursuance of an authorisation (and to retain the data temporarily for that purpose), only if the authorisation specifically authorises processing data of that description under the arrangements (and their temporary retention for that purpose).

3 An authorisation must record the decision of the person granting the authorisation as to—

a whether the communications data to be obtained and disclosed in pursuance of the authorisation may be obtained and disclosed by use of the filtering arrangements,

b whether the processing of data under the filtering arrangements (and its temporary retention for that purpose) is authorised,

c if the processing of data under the filtering arrangements is authorised, the description of data that may be processed.

4 A person must not grant an authorisation which authorises—

a use of the filtering arrangements, or

b processing under the filtering arrangements,

unless the condition in subsection (5) is met.

5 The condition is that the person (as well as considering that the other requirements of this Part in relation to granting the authorisation are satisfied) considers that what is authorised in relation to the filtering arrangements is proportionate to what is sought to be achieved.

^I18069 Duties in connection with operation of filtering arrangements¶

1 The Secretary of State must secure—

a that no authorisation data is obtained or processed under the filtering arrangements except for the purposes of an authorisation,

b that data which—

i has been obtained or processed under the filtering arrangements, and

ii is to be disclosed in pursuance of an authorisation or for the purpose mentioned in section 67(1)(a),

is disclosed only to the person to whom the data is to be disclosed in pursuance of the authorisation or (as the case may be) to the person considering whether to grant the authorisation,

c that any authorisation data which is obtained under the filtering arrangements in pursuance of an authorisation is immediately destroyed—

i when the purposes of the authorisation have been met, or

ii if at any time it ceases to be necessary to retain the data for the purposes or purpose concerned.

2 The Secretary of State must secure that data (other than authorisation data) which is retained under the filtering arrangements is disclosed only—

a for the purpose mentioned in section 67(1)(a),

b for the purposes of support, maintenance, oversight, operation or administration of the arrangements,

c to the Investigatory Powers Commissioner for the purposes of the functions of the Commissioner mentioned in section 67(4) or (5), or

d otherwise as authorised by law.

3 The Secretary of State must secure that—

a only the Secretary of State and designated individuals are permitted to read, obtain or otherwise process data for the purposes of support, maintenance, oversight, operation or administration of the filtering arrangements, and

b no other persons are permitted to access or use the filtering arrangements except in pursuance of an authorisation or for the purpose mentioned in section 67(1)(a).

4 In subsection (3)(a) “designated” means designated by the Secretary of State; and the Secretary of State may designate an individual only if the Secretary of State thinks that it is necessary for the individual to be able to act as mentioned in subsection (3)(a).

5 The Secretary of State must—

a put in place and maintain an adequate security system to govern access to, and use of, the filtering arrangements and to protect against any abuse of the power of access, and

b impose measures to protect against unauthorised or unlawful data retention, processing, access or disclosure.

6 The Secretary of State must—

a put in place and maintain procedures (including the regular testing of relevant software and hardware) to ensure that the filtering arrangements are functioning properly, and

b report, as soon as possible after the end of each calendar year, to the Investigatory Powers Commissioner about the functioning of the filtering arrangements during that year.

7 A report under subsection (6)(b) must, in particular, contain information about the destruction of authorisation data during the calendar year concerned.

8 If the Secretary of State believes that significant processing errors have occurred giving rise to a contravention of any of the requirements of this Part which relate to the filtering arrangements, the Secretary of State must report that fact immediately to the Investigatory Powers Commissioner.

9 In this section “authorisation data”, in relation to an authorisation, means communications data that is, or is to be, obtained in pursuance of the authorisation or any data from which that data is, or may be, derived.

Relevant public authorities other than local authorities¶

^I9370 Relevant public authorities and designated senior officers etc.¶

1 Schedule 4 (relevant public authorities and designated senior officers etc.) has effect.

2 A public authority listed in column 1 of the table in the Schedule is a relevant public authority for the purposes of this Part.

2A An authorisation under section 60A may be granted on the application of a relevant public authority listed in column 1 of the table only if section 60A(1)(a) is met in relation to a purpose within one of the paragraphs of section 60A(7) specified in the corresponding entry in column 2 of the table.

3 In this Part “designated senior officer”, in relation to a relevant public authority listed in column 1 of the table, means an individual who holds with the authority—

a an office, rank or position specified in relation to the authority in column 3 of the table, or

b an office, rank or position higher than that specified in relation to the authority in column 3 of the table (subject to subsections (4) and (5)).

4 Subsection (5) applies where an office, rank or position specified in relation to a relevant public authority in column 3 of the table is specified by reference to—

a a particular branch, agency or other part of the authority, or

b responsibility for functions of a particular description.

5 A person is a designated senior officer by virtue of subsection (3)(b) only if the person—

a holds an office, rank or position in that branch, agency or part, or

b has responsibility for functions of that description.

5A A person who is a designated senior officer of a relevant public authority by virtue of subsection (3) and an entry in column 3 of the table may grant an authorisation under section 61—

a only for obtaining communications data of the kind specified in the corresponding entry in column 4 of the table,

b only if one or more paragraphs of section 61(7) is specified in the corresponding entry in column 5 of the table, and

c only if section 61(1)(a) is met in relation to a purpose within the specified paragraph or, if more than one paragraph is specified, a purpose within one of them.

6 A person who is a designated senior officer of a relevant public authority by virtue of subsection (3) and an entry in column 3 of the table may grant an authorisation under section 61A—

a only for obtaining communications data of the kind specified in the corresponding entry in column 4 of the table, ^F170...

b only if one or more paragraphs of section 61A(7) is specified in the corresponding entry in column 6 of the table, and

c only if section 61A(1)(a) is met in relation to a purpose within the specified paragraph or, if more than one paragraph is specified, a purpose within one of them.

7 Where there is more than one entry in relation to a relevant public authority in column 3 of the table, and a person is a designated senior officer of the authority by virtue of subsection (3) as it applies to more than one of those entries, subsections (5A) and (6) apply in relation to each entry.

^I59171 Power to modify section 70 and Schedule 4¶

1 The Secretary of State may by regulations modify section 70 or Schedule 4.

2 Regulations under subsection (1) may in particular—

a add a public authority to, or remove a public authority from, the list in column 1 of the table,

b modify an entry in column 2 of the table,

c impose or remove restrictions on the authorisations that may be granted ^F291...,

d impose or remove restrictions on the circumstances in which or purposes for which the authorisations may be granted.

2A Regulations adding a public authority to, or removing a public authority from, the list in column 1 of the table may do so in relation to all or any of the following—

a authorisations under section 60A by the Investigatory Powers Commissioner;

b authorisations by a designated senior officer under section 61;

c authorisations by a designated senior officer under section 61A.

3 The power to make regulations under subsection (1) includes power to make such modifications in any enactment (including this Act) as the Secretary of State considers appropriate in consequence of a person becoming, or ceasing to be, a relevant public authority (in relation to one or more of the authorisations mentioned in subsection (2A)) because of regulations under that subsection.

^I3772 Certain regulations under section 71: supplementary¶

1 This section applies to regulations under section 71 other than regulations which do only one or both of the following—

a remove a public authority from the list in column 1 of the table in Schedule 4 (in relation to one or more of the authorisations mentioned in section 71(2A) and make consequential modifications,

b modify column 3 of the table in a way that does not involve replacing an office, rank or position specified in that column in relation to a particular public authority with a lower office, rank or position in relation to the same authority.

2 Before making regulations to which this section applies, the Secretary of State must consult—

a the Investigatory Powers Commissioner, and

b the public authority to which the modifications relate.

3 A statutory instrument containing regulations to which this section applies may not be made except in accordance with the enhanced affirmative procedure.

Local authorities¶

^I13973 Local authorities as relevant public authorities¶

1 A local authority is a relevant public authority for the purposes of this Part but only so far as relating to authorisations under section 60A.

^F2702 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3 An authorisation may not be granted under section 60A on the application of a local authority unless—

a section 60A(1)(a) is met in relation to a purpose within section 60A(7)(b),

b the local authority is a party to a collaboration agreement (whether as a supplying authority or a subscribing authority or both), and

c that collaboration agreement is certified by the Secretary of State (having regard to guidance given by virtue of section 79(6) and (7)) as being appropriate for the local authority.

3A In subsection (3)—

“collaboration agreement” means an agreement under section 78 that falls within subsection (1)(b)(iii) of that section,
“subscribing authority” has the same meaning as in section 78,
“supplying authority” has the same meaning as in section 78.

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^F5474 Requirement to be party to collaboration agreement¶

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^F4075 Judicial approval for local authority authorisations¶

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Additional protections¶

^I61976 Use of a single point of contact¶

A1 Before making an application for an authorisation under section 60A, the officer making the application must consult a person who is acting as a single point of contact in relation to the making of applications.

1 Before granting an authorisation under section 61 or 61A, the designated senior officer must consult a person who is acting as a single point of contact in relation to the granting of authorisations.

2 But, if the officer or (as the case may be) designated senior officer considers that there are exceptional circumstances which mean that subsection (A1) or (as the case may be) (1) should not apply in a particular case, that subsection does not apply in that case.

3 Examples of exceptional circumstances include—

a an imminent threat to life or another emergency, or

b the interests of national security.

4 A person is acting as a single point of contact if that person—

a is an officer of a relevant public authority, and

b is responsible for advising—

i officers of the relevant public authority about applying for authorisations (whether under section 60A, 61 or 61A), or

ii designated senior officers of the relevant public authority about granting authorisations.

5 A person acting as a single point of contact may, in particular, advise an officer of a relevant public authority who is considering whether to apply for an authorisation about—

a the most appropriate methods for obtaining data where the data concerned is processed by more than one telecommunications operator,

b the cost, and resource implications, for—

i the relevant public authority concerned of obtaining the data, and

ii the telecommunications operator concerned of disclosing the data,

c any unintended consequences of the proposed authorisation, and

d any issues as to the lawfulness of the proposed authorisation.

6 A person acting as a single point of contact may, in particular, advise a designated senior officer who is considering whether to grant an authorisation about—

a whether it is reasonably practical to obtain the data sought in pursuance of the proposed authorisation,

b the cost, and resource implications, for—

i the relevant public authority concerned of obtaining the data, and

ii the telecommunications operator concerned of disclosing the data,

c any unintended consequences of the proposed authorisation, and

d any issues as to the lawfulness of the proposed authorisation.

7 A person acting as a single point of contact may also provide advice about—

a whether requirements imposed by virtue of an authorisation have been met,

b the use in support of operations or investigations of communications data obtained in pursuance of an authorisation, and

c any other effects of an authorisation.

8 Nothing in this section prevents a person acting as a single point of contact from also applying for, or being granted, an authorisation or, in the case of a designated senior officer, granting an authorisation.

^I4077 Commissioner approval for authorisations to identify or confirm journalistic sources¶

1 Subsection (2) applies if—

a a designated senior officer has granted an authorisation under section 61 or 61A in relation to the obtaining by a relevant public authority of communications data for the purpose of identifying or confirming a source of journalistic information, and

b the authorisation is not necessary because of an imminent threat to life.

1A Subsection (2) also applies if—

a a person to whom functions under section 60A have been delegated under section 238(5) has granted an authorisation under that section in relation to the obtaining by a relevant public authority of communications data for the purpose of identifying or confirming a source of journalistic information, and

b the authorisation is not necessary because of an imminent threat to life.

2 The authorisation is not to take effect until such time (if any) as a Judicial Commissioner has approved it.

3 The relevant public authority for which the authorisation has been granted may apply to a Judicial Commissioner for approval of the authorisation.

4 The applicant is not required to give notice of the application to—

a any person to whom the authorisation relates, or

b that person's legal representatives.

5 A Judicial Commissioner may approve the authorisation if, and only if, the Judicial Commissioner considers that—

a at the time of the grant, there were reasonable grounds for considering that the requirements of this Part were satisfied in relation to the authorisation, and

b at the time when the Judicial Commissioner is considering the matter, there are reasonable grounds for considering that the requirements of this Part would be satisfied if an equivalent new authorisation were granted at that time.

6 In considering whether the position is as mentioned in subsection (5)(a) and (b), the Judicial Commissioner must, in particular, have regard to—

a the public interest in protecting a source of journalistic information, and

b the need for there to be another overriding public interest before a relevant public authority seeks to identify or confirm a source of journalistic information.

7 Where, on an application under this section, the Judicial Commissioner refuses to approve the grant of the authorisation, the Judicial Commissioner may quash the authorisation.

Collaboration agreements¶

^I25678 Collaboration agreements¶

1 A collaboration agreement is an agreement (other than a police collaboration agreement) under which—

a a relevant public authority (“the supplying authority”) puts the services of ^F262...designated senior officers of that authority or other officers of that authority at the disposal of another relevant public authority (“the subscribing authority”) for the purposes of the subscribing authority's functions under this Part, and

b either—

i a designated senior officer of the supplying authority is permitted to grant authorisations under section 61 or 61A to officers of the subscribing authority,

ii officers of the supplying authority are permitted to be granted authorisations under section 61 or 61A by a designated senior officer of the subscribing authority, or

iii officers of the supplying authority act as single points of contact for officers of the subscribing authority.

2 The persons by whom, or to whom, authorisations may be granted (or who may act as single points of contact) under a collaboration agreement are additional to those persons by whom, or to whom, authorisations would otherwise be granted under this Part (or who could otherwise act as single points of contact).

3 In a case falling within subsection (1)(b)(i)—

a section 61 has effect as if—

i in subsection (2) the reference to an officer of the authority were a reference to an officer of the subscribing authority, and

ii in subsection (6)(b)(ii) the reference to an officer of the same relevant public authority as an authorised officer included a reference to an officer of the supplying authority,

b section 61A has effect as if—

i in subsection (2) the reference to an officer of the relevant public authority were a reference to an officer of the subscribing authority, and

ii in subsection (6)(b)(ii) the reference to an officer of the same relevant public authority as an authorised officer included a reference to an officer of the supplying authority, and

c this Part has effect as if the designated senior officer of the supplying authority had the power to grant an authorisation under section 61 or 61A to officers of the subscribing authority, and had other functions in relation to the authorisation, which were the same as (and subject to no greater or lesser restrictions than) the power and other functions which the designated senior officer of the subscribing authority who would otherwise have dealt with the authorisation would have had.

4 In a case falling within subsection (1)(b)(ii)—

a section 61 has effect as if—

i in subsection (2) the reference to an officer of the authority were a reference to an officer of the supplying authority, and

ii in subsection (6)(b)(ii) the reference to an officer of the same relevant public authority as an authorised officer included a reference to an officer of the subscribing authority, and

b section 61A has effect as if—

i in subsection (2) the reference to an officer of the relevant public authority were a reference to an officer of the supplying authority, and

ii in subsection (6)(b)(ii) the reference to an officer of the same relevant public authority as an authorised officer included a reference to an officer of the subscribing authority.

^F733 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

^F734 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5 In a case falling within subsection (1)(b)(iii), section 76(4)(b) has effect as if the references to the relevant public authority were references to the subscribing authority.

6 In this section—

“force collaboration provision” has the meaning given by paragraph (a) of section 22A(2) of the Police Act 1996 but as if the reference in that paragraph to a police force included the National Crime Agency,
“police collaboration agreement” means a collaboration agreement under section 22A of the Police Act 1996 which contains force collaboration provision.

^I53979 Collaboration agreements: supplementary¶

1 A collaboration agreement may provide for payments to be made between parties to the agreement.

2 A collaboration agreement—

a must be in writing,

b may be varied by a subsequent collaboration agreement, and

c may be brought to an end by agreement between the parties to it.

3 A person who makes a collaboration agreement must—

a publish the agreement, or

b publish the fact that the agreement has been made and such other details about it as the person considers appropriate.

4 A relevant public authority may enter into a collaboration agreement as a supplying authority, a subscribing authority or both (whether or not it would have power to do so apart from this section).

5 The Secretary of State may, after consulting a relevant public authority, direct it to enter into a collaboration agreement if the Secretary of State considers that entering into the agreement would assist the effective exercise by the authority, or another relevant public authority, of its functions under this Part.

6 A code of practice under Schedule 7 must include guidance to relevant public authorities about collaboration agreements.

7 The guidance must include guidance about the criteria the Secretary of State will use in considering whether a collaboration agreement is appropriate for a relevant public authority.

^I60080 Police collaboration agreements¶

1 This section applies if—

a the chief officer of police of an England and Wales police force (“force 1”) has entered into a police collaboration agreement for the purposes of a collaborating police force's functions under this Part, and

b under the terms of the agreement—

i a designated senior officer of force 1 is permitted to grant authorisations under section 61 or 61A to officers of the collaborating police force,

ii officers of force 1 are permitted to be granted authorisations under section 61 or 61A by a designated senior officer of the collaborating police force, or

iii officers of force 1 act as single points of contact for officers of the collaborating police force.

2 The persons by whom, or to whom, authorisations may be granted (or who may act as single points of contact) under a police collaboration agreement are additional to those persons by whom, or to whom, authorisations would otherwise be granted under this Part (or who could otherwise act as single points of contact).

3 In a case falling within subsection (1)(b)(i)—

a section 61 has effect as if—

i in subsection (2) the reference to an officer of the authority were a reference to an officer of the collaborating police force, and

ii in subsection (6)(b)(ii) the reference to an officer of the same relevant public authority as an authorised officer included a reference to an officer of force 1,

b section 61A has effect as if—

i in subsection (2) the reference to an officer of the relevant public authority were a reference to an officer of the collaborating police force, and

ii in subsection (6)(b)(ii) the reference to an officer of the same relevant public authority as an authorised officer included a reference to an officer of force 1, and

c this Part has effect as if the designated senior officer of force 1 had the power to grant an authorisation under section 61 or 61A to officers of the collaborating police force, and had other functions in relation to the authorisation, which were the same as (and subject to no greater or lesser restrictions than) the power and other functions which the designated senior officer of the collaborating police force who would otherwise have dealt with the authorisation would have had.

4 In a case falling within subsection (1)(b)(ii)—

a section 61 has effect as if—

i in subsection (2) the reference to an officer of the authority were a reference to an officer of force 1, and

ii in subsection (6)(b)(ii) the reference to an officer of the same relevant public authority as an authorised officer included a reference to an officer of the collaborating police force, and

b section 61A has effect as if—

i in subsection (2) the reference to an officer of the relevant public authority were a reference to an officer of force 1, and

ii in subsection (6)(b)(ii) the reference to an officer of the same relevant public authority as an authorised officer included a reference to an officer of the collaborating police force.

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5 In a case falling within subsection (1)(b)(iii), section 76(4)(b) has effect as if the references to the relevant public authority were references to the collaborating police force.

6 In this section—

“collaborating police force”, in relation to a police collaboration agreement, means a police force (other than force 1) whose chief officer of police is a party to the agreement,
“England and Wales police force” means—
1. any police force maintained under section 2 of the Police Act 1996 (police forces in England and Wales outside London),
2. the metropolitan police force, or
3. the City of London police force,
“police collaboration agreement” has the same meaning as in section 78 (see subsection (6) of that section),

and references in this section to an England and Wales police force or a police force include the National Crime Agency (and references to the chief officer of police include the Director General of the National Crime Agency).

Further and supplementary provision¶

^I33481 Lawfulness of conduct authorised by this Part¶

1 Conduct is lawful for all purposes if—

a it is conduct in which any person is authorised to engage by an authorisation or required to undertake by virtue of a notice given in pursuance of an authorisation, and

b the conduct is in accordance with, or in pursuance of, the authorisation or notice.

2 A person (whether or not the person so authorised or required) is not to be subject to any civil liability in respect of conduct that—

a is incidental to, or is reasonably undertaken in connection with, conduct that is lawful by virtue of subsection (1), and

b is not itself conduct for which an authorisation or warrant—

i is capable of being granted under any of the enactments mentioned in subsection (3), and

ii might reasonably have been expected to have been sought in the case in question.

3 The enactments referred to in subsection (2)(b)(i) are—

a an enactment contained in this Act,

b an enactment contained in the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000,

c an enactment contained in Part 3 of the Police Act 1997 (powers of the police and of customs officers), or

d section 5 of the Intelligence Services Act 1994 (warrants for the intelligence services).

^I56582 Offence of making unauthorised disclosure¶

1 It is an offence for a telecommunications operator, or any person employed or engaged for the purposes of the business of a telecommunications operator, to disclose, without reasonable excuse, to any person the existence of—

a any requirement imposed on the operator by virtue of this Part to disclose communications data relating to that person, or

b any request made in pursuance of an authorisation for the operator to disclose such data.

2 For the purposes of subsection (1), it is, in particular, a reasonable excuse if the disclosure is made with the permission of the relevant public authority which is seeking to obtain the data from the operator (whether the permission is contained in any notice requiring the operator to disclose the data or otherwise).

3 A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—

a on summary conviction in England and Wales—

i to imprisonment for a term not exceeding the general limit in a magistrates’ court (or 6 months, if the offence was committed before 2 May 2022), or

ii to a fine,

or to both;

b on summary conviction in Scotland—

i to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or

ii to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum,

or to both;

c on summary conviction in Northern Ireland—

i to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or

ii to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum,

or to both;

d on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to a fine, or to both.

^I3983 Certain transfer and agency arrangements with public authorities¶

1 The Secretary of State may by regulations provide for—

a any function under sections 67 to 69 which is exercisable by the Secretary of State to be exercisable instead by another public authority, or

b any function under sections 67 to 69 which is exercisable by a public authority by virtue of paragraph (a) to be exercisable instead by the Secretary of State.

2 The Secretary of State may by regulations modify any enactment about a public authority for the purpose of enabling or otherwise facilitating any function exercisable by the Secretary of State under this Part to be exercisable on behalf of the Secretary of State by the authority concerned.

3 Regulations under subsection (2) do not affect the Secretary of State's responsibility for the exercise of the functions concerned.

4 Subsection (2) does not apply in relation to any function of the Secretary of State of making regulations.

5 Schedule 5 (which contains further safeguards and provisions supplementing this section) has effect.

^I17884 Application of Part 3 to postal operators and postal services¶

1 This Part applies to postal operators and postal services as it applies to telecommunications operators and telecommunications services.

2 In its application by virtue of subsection (1), this Part has effect as if—

a any reference to a telecommunications operator were a reference to a postal operator,

b any reference to a telecommunications service were a reference to a postal service,

c any reference to a telecommunication system were a reference to a postal service,

d sections 61(3)(a) and 62 were omitted, ^F232...

da the reference in sections 60A(8)(a), 61(7A)(a) and 61A(8)(a) to events data were a reference to anything within paragraph (a) or (b) of the definition of “communications data” in section 262(3), and

e in Part 2 of Schedule 4, for “which is entity data” there were substituted “ within paragraph (c) of the definition of “communications data” in section 262(3) ”.

^I60585 Extra-territorial application of Part 3¶

1 An authorisation may relate to conduct outside the United Kingdom and persons outside the United Kingdom.

2 A notice given in pursuance of an authorisation may relate to conduct outside the United Kingdom and persons outside the United Kingdom.

3 Where such a notice is to be given to a person outside the United Kingdom, the notice may be given to the person in any of the following ways (as well as by electronic or other means of service)—

a by delivering it to the person's principal office within the United Kingdom or, if the person has no such office in the United Kingdom, to any place in the United Kingdom where the person carries on business or conducts activities,

b if the person has specified an address in the United Kingdom as one at which the person, or someone on the person's behalf, will accept documents of the same description as a notice, by delivering it to that address,

c by notifying the person by such other means as the authorised officer considers appropriate (which may include notifying the person orally).

4 In determining for the purposes of subsection (3) of section 66 whether it is reasonably practicable for a telecommunications operator outside the United Kingdom to take any steps in a country or territory outside the United Kingdom for the purpose of complying with a duty imposed by virtue of subsection (1) or (2) of that section, the matters to be taken into account include the following—

a any requirements or restrictions under the law of that country or territory that are relevant to the taking of those steps, and

b the extent to which it is reasonably practicable to comply with the duty in a way that does not breach any of those requirements or restrictions.

5 Nothing in the definition of “telecommunications operator” limits the type of communications data in relation to which an authorisation, or a request or requirement of a kind which gives rise to a duty under section 66(1) or (2), may apply.

^I37186 Part 3: interpretation¶

1 In this Part—

“authorisation” means an authorisation under section 60A, 61 or 61A (including sections 61 and 61A as modified by sections 78 and 80),
“designated senior officer”—
1. ^F324...
2. in relation to any ^F9... relevant public authority, has the meaning given by section 70(3),
“filtering arrangements” means any arrangements under section 67(1),
“officer”, in relation to a relevant public authority, means a person holding an office, rank or position with that authority,
“relevant public authority” means a public authority which is a relevant public authority for the purposes of this Part by virtue of section 70(2) or 73(1).

2 In this Part “local authority” means—

a a district or county council in England,

b a London borough council,

c the Common Council of the City of London in its capacity as a local authority,

d the Council of the Isles of Scilly,

e a county council or county borough council in Wales,

f a council constituted under section 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994, and

g a district council in Northern Ireland.

2A In this Part, “serious crime” means, in addition to crime which falls within paragraph (a) or (b) of the definition of “serious crime” in section 263(1), crime where the offence, or one of the offences, which is or would be constituted by the conduct concerned is—

a an offence for which an individual who has reached the age of 18 (or, in relation to Scotland or Northern Ireland, 21) is capable of being sentenced to imprisonment for a term of 12 months or more (disregarding any enactment prohibiting or restricting the imprisonment of individuals who have no previous convictions), or

b an offence—

i by a person who is not an individual, or

ii which involves, as an integral part of it, the sending of a communication or a breach of a person’s privacy.

3 See also—

section 261 (telecommunications definitions),
section 262 (postal definitions),
section 263 (general definitions),
section 265 (index of defined expressions).

Part 4 Retention of communications data¶

General¶

87 Powers to require retention of certain data¶

1 The Secretary of State may, by notice (a “retention notice”) and subject as follows, require a telecommunications operator to retain relevant communications data if—

^I270a the Secretary of State considers that the requirement is necessary and proportionate for one or more of the following purposes—

i in the interests of national security,

ii for the applicable crime purpose (see subsection (10A)),

iii in the interests of the economic well-being of the United Kingdom so far as those interests are also relevant to the interests of national security,

iv in the interests of public safety,

v for the purpose of preventing death or injury or any damage to a person’s physical or mental health, or of mitigating any injury or damage to a person’s physical or mental health,

vi to assist investigations into alleged miscarriages of justice,

and

^I3b the decision to give the notice has been approved by a Judicial Commissioner.

^I2702 A retention notice may—

a relate to a particular operator or any description of operators,

b require the retention of all data or any description of data,

c identify the period or periods for which data is to be retained,

d contain other requirements, or restrictions, in relation to the retention of data,

e make different provision for different purposes,

f relate to data whether or not in existence at the time of the giving, or coming into force, of the notice.

^I2703 A retention notice must not require any data to be retained for more than 12 months beginning with—

a in the case of communications data relating to a specific communication, the day of the communication concerned,

b in the case of entity data which does not fall within paragraph (a) above but does fall within paragraph (a)(i) of the definition of “communications data” in section 261(5), the day on which the entity concerned ceases to be associated with the telecommunications service concerned or (if earlier) the day on which the data is changed, and

c in any other case, the day on which the data is first held by the operator concerned.

^I2704 A retention notice must not require an operator who controls or provides a telecommunication system (“the system operator”) to retain data , other than data which is, or can only be obtained by processing, an internet connection record, which—

a relates to the use of a telecommunications service provided (solely or jointly with another person) by another telecommunications operator in relation to that system,

aa does not relate to a relevant roaming service,

b is (or is capable of being) processed by the system operator as a result of being comprised in, included as part of, attached to or logically associated with a communication transmitted by means of the system as a result of the use mentioned in paragraph (a),

c is not needed by the system operator for the functioning of the system in relation to that communication, and

d is not retained or used by the system operator for any other lawful purpose,

and which it is reasonably practicable to separate from other data which is subject to the notice.

4A In subsection (4) “relevant roaming service” means a telecommunications service provided by the system operator under an agreement with a telecommunications operator outside the United Kingdom (the “non-UK operator”) which facilitates the use by persons in the United Kingdom of the system operator’s telecommunication system to access one or more telecommunications services of the non-UK operator.

^I2705 A retention notice which relates to data already in existence when the notice comes into force imposes a requirement to retain the data for only so much of a period of retention as occurs on or after the coming into force of the notice.

^I2706 A retention notice comes into force—

a when the notice is given to the operator (or description of operators) concerned, or

b (if later) at the time or times specified in the notice.

6A A retention notice ceases to have effect at the end of the relevant period unless before the end of that period—

a it is varied in accordance with section 94(4) so as to require the retention of additional relevant communications data,

b it is renewed (see section 94A), or

c it is revoked or otherwise ceases to have effect (see sections 90(10) and 94).

6B In subsection (6A) the “relevant period” means the period of two years beginning with—

a in the case of a retention notice that has not been varied as mentioned in subsection (6A)(a) or renewed, the day on which the notice comes into force, or

b in the case of a retention notice that has been so varied or renewed, the day after the day at the end of which the retention notice would have ceased to have effect if it had not been so varied or renewed.

^I2707 A retention notice is given to an operator (or description of operators) by giving, or publishing, it in such manner as the Secretary of State considers appropriate for bringing it to the attention of the operator (or description of operators) to whom it relates.

^I2708 A retention notice must specify—

a the operator (or description of operators) to whom it relates,

aa each telecommunications service (or description of telecommunications service) to which it relates,

b the data which is to be retained,

c the period or periods for which the data is to be retained,

d any other requirements, or any restrictions, in relation to the retention of the data,

e the information required by section 249(7) (the level or levels of contribution in respect of costs incurred as a result of the notice).

^I2709 The requirements or restrictions mentioned in subsection (8)(d) may, in particular, include—

a a requirement to retain the data in such a way that it can be transmitted efficiently and effectively in response to requests,

b requirements or restrictions in relation to the obtaining (whether by collection, generation or otherwise), generation or processing of—

i data for retention, or

ii retained data.

^I27010 The fact that the data which would be retained under a retention notice relates to the activities in the British Islands of a trade union is not, of itself, sufficient to establish that the requirement to retain the data is necessary for one or more of the purposes falling within sub-paragraphs (i) to (vi) of subsection (1)(a).

10A In this section, “the applicable crime purpose” means—

a to the extent that a retention notice relates to events data, the purpose of preventing or detecting serious crime;

b to the extent that a retention notice relates to entity data, the purpose of preventing or detecting crime or of preventing disorder.

10B In subsection (10A)(a), “serious crime” means, in addition to crime which falls within paragraph (a) or (b) of the definition of “serious crime” in section 263(1), crime where the offence, or one of the offences, which is or would be constituted by the conduct concerned is—

b an offence—

i by a person who is not an individual, or

ii which involves, as an integral part of it, the sending of a communication or a breach of a person’s privacy.

^I27011 In this Part “relevant communications data” means communications data which may be used to identify, or assist in identifying, any of the following—

a the sender or recipient of a communication (whether or not a person),

b the time or duration of a communication,

c the type, method or pattern, or fact, of communication,

d the telecommunication system (or any part of it) from, to or through which, or by means of which, a communication is or may be transmitted, or

e the location of any such system,

(and this expression therefore includes, in particular, internet connection records).

Safeguards¶

88^I578 Matters to be taken into account before giving retention notices¶

1 Before giving a retention notice , including in relation to one or more of the purposes mentioned in sub-paragraphs (i) to (vi) of section 87(1)(a) (purposes for which retention of communications data may be required), the Secretary of State must, among other matters, take into account—

a the likely benefits of the notice,

aa the telecommunications services to which the retention notice relates,

ab the appropriateness of limiting the data to be retained by reference to—

i location, or

ii descriptions of persons to whom telecommunications services are provided,

b the likely number of users (if known) of any telecommunications service to which the notice relates,

c the technical feasibility of complying with the notice,

d the likely cost of complying with the notice, and

e any other effect of the notice on the telecommunications operator (or description of operators) to whom it relates.

2 Before giving such a notice, the Secretary of State must take reasonable steps to consult any operator to whom it relates.

89 Approval of retention notices by Judicial Commissioners¶

1 In deciding whether to approve a decision to give a retention notice, a Judicial Commissioner must review the Secretary of State's conclusions as to whether the requirement to be imposed by the notice to retain relevant communications data is necessary and proportionate for one or more of the purposes falling within sub-paragraphs (i) to (vi) of section 87(1)(a).

2 In doing so, the Judicial Commissioner must—

a apply the same principles as would be applied by a court on an application for judicial review, and

3 Where a Judicial Commissioner refuses to approve a decision to give a retention notice, the Judicial Commissioner must give the Secretary of State written reasons for the refusal.

4 Where a Judicial Commissioner, other than the Investigatory Powers Commissioner, refuses to approve a decision to give a retention notice, the Secretary of State may ask the Investigatory Powers Commissioner to decide whether to approve the decision to give the notice.

90 Review by the Secretary of State¶

^I1881 A telecommunications operator to whom a retention notice is given may, within such period or circumstances as may be provided for by regulations made by the Secretary of State, refer the notice back to the Secretary of State.

^I1882 Such a reference may be in relation to the whole of a notice or any aspect of it.

^I1883 In the case of a notice given to a description of operators—

a each operator falling within that description may make a reference under subsection (1), but

b each such reference may only be in relation to the notice, or aspect of the notice, so far as it applies to that operator.

^I1884 Where a telecommunications operator refers a retention notice under subsection (1)—

a there is no requirement for the operator to comply with the notice, so far as referred, and

b subsection (4A) applies to the operator,

until the Secretary of State has reviewed the notice in accordance with subsection (5).

4A Where this subsection applies to a telecommunications operator, the operator must not make any relevant changes to telecommunications services or telecommunication systems to which obligations imposed by the retention notice relate.

4B In subsection (4A) “relevant change” means a change that, if implemented, would have a negative effect on the capability of the operator to provide any assistance which the operator may be required to provide in relation to any warrant, authorisation or notice issued or given under this Act.

^I1885 The Secretary of State must , before the end of the review period, review any notice so far as referred to the Secretary of State under subsection (1) (and accordingly decide what action to take under subsection (10)).

5A In subsection (5) “the review period” means—

a such period as may be provided for by regulations made by the Secretary of State, or

b if that period is extended by the Secretary of State in accordance with the regulations (see subsection (14)), such extended period.

^I1886 Before deciding the review, the Secretary of State must consult—

a the Technical Advisory Board, and

b a Judicial Commissioner.

^I1887 The Board must consider the technical requirements and the financial consequences, for the operator who has made the reference, of the notice so far as referred.

^I1888 The Commissioner must consider whether the notice so far as referred is proportionate.

^I1889 The Board and the Commissioner must—

a give the operator concerned and the Secretary of State the opportunity to provide evidence, or make representations, to them before reaching their conclusions, and

b report their conclusions to—

i the operator, and

ii the Secretary of State.

9A The Commissioner may give a direction to the operator concerned or the Secretary of State specifying the period within which the operator or the Secretary of State (as the case may be) may provide evidence, or make representations, in accordance with subsection (9)(a).

9B If the Commissioner gives such a direction to the operator or the Secretary of State, the Board and the Commissioner are not required to take into account any evidence provided, or representations made, by the operator or the Secretary of State (as the case may be) after the end of that period.

^I18810 The Secretary of State must, after considering the conclusions of the Board and the Commissioner but before the end of the relevant period, decide whether to—

a vary or revoke the retention notice under section 94, or

b give a notice under this section to the operator concerned confirming its effect.

^I18811 But the Secretary of State may vary the notice, or give a notice under subsection (10)(b) confirming its effect, only if the Secretary of State's decision to do so has been approved by the Investigatory Powers Commissioner.

11A In subsection (10) “the relevant period” means—

a such period as may be provided for by regulations made by the Secretary of State, or

b if that period is extended by the Secretary of State in accordance with the regulations (see subsection (15)), such extended period.

^I18812 A report or notice under this section is given to an operator by giving or publishing it in such manner as the Secretary of State considers appropriate for bringing it to the attention of the operator.

13^I429 The Secretary of State must keep a retention notice under review (whether or not referred under subsection (1)).

14 Regulations under subsection (5A)(a) may include provision enabling any period provided for by the regulations to be extended by the Secretary of State where the extension is agreed by the Secretary of State, the telecommunications operator concerned and a Judicial Commissioner.

15 Regulations under subsection (11A)(a) may include provision enabling any period provided for by the regulations to be extended by the Secretary of State—

a where the Secretary of State considers that there are exceptional circumstances that justify the extension, or

b in any other circumstances specified in the regulations.

16 Where regulations under subsection (11A)(a) include provision mentioned in subsection (15), the regulations must also include provision requiring the Secretary of State to notify a Judicial Commissioner and the telecommunications operator concerned of the duration of any extended period.

^I56091 Approval of notices following review under section 90¶

1 In deciding whether to approve a decision to vary a retention notice as mentioned in section 90(10)(a), or to give a notice under section 90(10)(b) confirming the effect of a retention notice, the Investigatory Powers Commissioner must review the Secretary of State's conclusions as to whether the requirement to be imposed by the notice as varied or confirmed to retain relevant communications data is necessary and proportionate for one or more of the purposes falling within sub-paragraphs (i) to (vi) of section 87(1)(a).

2 In doing so, the Investigatory Powers Commissioner must—

a apply the same principles as would be applied by a court on an application for judicial review, and

b consider the matters referred to in subsection (1) with a sufficient degree of care as to ensure that the Investigatory Powers Commissioner complies with the duties imposed by section 2 (general duties in relation to privacy).

3 Where the Investigatory Powers Commissioner refuses to approve a decision to vary a retention notice as mentioned in section 90(10)(a), or to give a notice under section 90(10)(b) confirming the effect of a retention notice, the Investigatory Powers Commissioner must give the Secretary of State written reasons for the refusal.

92^I419 Data integrity and security¶

1 A telecommunications operator who retains relevant communications data by virtue of this Part must—

a secure that the data is of the same integrity, and subject to at least the same security and protection, as the data on any system from which it is derived,

b secure, by appropriate technical and organisational measures, that the data can be accessed only by specially authorised personnel, and

c protect, by appropriate technical and organisational measures, the data against accidental or unlawful destruction, accidental loss or alteration, or unauthorised or unlawful retention, processing, access or disclosure.

2 A telecommunications operator who retains relevant communications data by virtue of this Part must destroy the data if the retention of the data ceases to be authorised by virtue of this Part and is not otherwise authorised by law.

3 The destruction of the data may take place at such monthly or shorter intervals as appear to the operator to be practicable.

93^I381 Disclosure of retained data¶

A telecommunications operator must put in place adequate security systems (including technical and organisational measures) governing access to relevant communications data retained by virtue of this Part in order to protect against any unlawful disclosure.

Variation , revocation or renewal of notices¶

94 Variation or revocation of notices¶

^I421 The Secretary of State may vary a retention notice.

^I422 The Secretary of State must give, or publish, notice of the variation in such manner as the Secretary of State considers appropriate for bringing the variation to the attention of the telecommunications operator (or description of operators) to whom it relates.

^I423 A variation comes into force—

a when notice of it is given or published in accordance with subsection (2), or

b (if later) at the time or times specified in the notice of variation.

4 A retention notice may not be varied so as to require the retention of additional relevant communications data unless—

^I42a the Secretary of State considers that the requirement is necessary and proportionate for one or more of the purposes falling within sub-paragraphs (i) to (vi) of section 87(1)(a), and

^I649b subject to subsection (6), the decision to vary the notice has been approved by a Judicial Commissioner.

^I425 The fact that additional relevant communications data which would be retained under a retention notice as varied relates to the activities in the British Islands of a trade union is not, of itself, sufficient to establish that the requirement to retain the data is necessary for one or more of the purposes falling within sub-paragraphs (i) to (vi) of section 87(1)(a).

^I6496 Subsection (4)(b) does not apply to a variation to which section 90(11) applies.

^I427 Section 87(2) and (5) apply in relation to a retention notice as varied as they apply in relation to a retention notice, but as if the references to the notice coming into force included references to the variation coming into force.

^I190^I2368 Sections 87(3), (4) and (8), 95 and 97, and subsections (1), (4), (13) and (16) of this section, apply in relation to a retention notice as varied as they apply in relation to a retention notice.

^I1389 Section 88 applies in relation to the making of a variation as it applies in relation to the giving of a retention notice (and, accordingly, the references to the notice in section 88(1)(a) to (e) are to be read as references to the variation).

^I64910 Section 89 applies in relation to a decision to vary to which subsection (4)(b) above applies as it applies in relation to a decision to give a retention notice (and, accordingly, the reference in subsection (1) of that section to the requirement to be imposed by the notice is to be read as a reference to the requirement to be imposed by the variation).

^I486^I23611 Section 90 applies (but only so far as the variation is concerned) in relation to a retention notice as varied (other than one varied as mentioned in subsection (10)(a) of that section) as it applies in relation to a retention notice.

^I64912 Section 91 applies in relation to a decision under section 90(10) to vary or confirm a variation as it applies in relation to a decision to vary or confirm a retention notice (and, accordingly, the reference in subsection (1) of that section to the requirement to be imposed by the notice as varied or confirmed is to be read as a reference to the requirement to be imposed by the variation as varied or confirmed).

^I13813 The Secretary of State may revoke (whether wholly or in part) a retention notice.

^I13814 The Secretary of State must give or publish notice of the revocation in such manner as the Secretary of State considers appropriate for bringing the revocation to the attention of the operator (or description of operators) to whom it relates.

^I13815 A revocation comes into force—

a when notice of it is given or published in accordance with subsection (14), or

b (if later) at the time or times specified in the notice of revocation.

^I13816 The fact that a retention notice has been revoked in relation to a particular description of communications data and a particular operator (or description of operators) does not prevent the giving of another retention notice in relation to the same description of data and the same operator (or description of operators).

94A Renewal of notices¶

1 If the renewal conditions are met, a retention notice may be renewed, at any time during the renewal period, by a notice given by the Secretary of State.

2 The renewal conditions are—

a that the Secretary of State considers that the requirement in the retention notice for a telecommunications operator to retain relevant communications data is still necessary and proportionate for one or more of the purposes falling within sub-paragraphs (i) to (vi) of section 87(1)(a), and

b that the decision to renew the notice has been approved by a Judicial Commissioner.

3 The renewal period means the period of 30 days ending with the day at the end of which the retention notice would otherwise cease to have effect.

4 The Secretary of State must give, or publish, notice of the renewal in such manner as the Secretary of State considers appropriate for bringing the renewal to the attention of the telecommunications operator (or description of operators) to whom it relates.

5 Sections 87(10), 88, 89 and 90 apply in relation to the renewal of a retention notice as they apply in relation to the giving of a retention notice.

Enforcement¶

95^I274 Enforcement of notices and certain other requirements and restrictions¶

1 It is the duty of a telecommunications operator on whom a requirement or restriction is imposed by—

a a retention notice, or

b section 92 or 93,

to comply with the requirement or restriction.

2 A telecommunications operator, or any person employed or engaged for the purposes of the business of a telecommunications operator, must not disclose the existence or contents of a retention notice to any other person.

3 The Information Commissioner, or any member of staff of the Information Commissioner, must not disclose the existence or contents of a retention notice to any other person.

4 Subsections (2) and (3) do not apply to a disclosure made with the permission of the Secretary of State.

5 The duty under subsection (1) or (2) , or under section 90(4A), is enforceable (whether or not the person is in the United Kingdom) by civil proceedings by the Secretary of State for an injunction, or for specific performance of a statutory duty under section 45 of the Court of Session Act 1988, or for any other appropriate relief.

Further and supplementary provision¶

^I56496 Application of Part 4 to postal operators and postal services¶

1 This Part applies to postal operators and postal services as it applies to telecommunications operators and telecommunications services.

2 In its application by virtue of subsection (1), this Part has effect as if—

a any reference to a telecommunications operator were a reference to a postal operator,

b any reference to a telecommunications service were a reference to a postal service,

c any reference to a telecommunication system were a reference to a postal service,

d in section 87(3), for paragraph (b) there were substituted—

e for section 87(4) there were substituted—

4 A retention notice must not require an operator who provides a postal service (“the network operator”) to retain data which—

a relates to the use of a postal service provided by another postal operator in relation to the postal service of the network operator,

b is (or is capable of being) processed by the network operator as a result of being comprised in, included as part of, attached to or logically associated with a communication transmitted by means of the postal service of the network operator as a result of the use mentioned in paragraph (a),

c is not needed by the network operator for the functioning of the network operator's postal service in relation to that communication, and

d is not retained or used by the network operator for any other lawful purpose,

and which it is reasonably practicable to separate from other data which is subject to the notice.

, ^F115...

ea the reference in section 87(10A)(a) to events data were a reference to anything within paragraph (a) or (b) of the definition of “communications data” in section 262(3),

eb the reference in section 87(10A)(b) to entity data were a reference to anything within paragraph (c) of the definition of “communications data” in section 262(3), and

f in section 87(11), the words from “and this expression” to the end were omitted.

97^I94 Extra-territorial application of Part 4¶

1 A retention notice, and any requirement or restriction imposed by virtue of a retention notice or by section 92, 93 or 95(1) to (3), may relate to conduct outside the United Kingdom and persons outside the United Kingdom.

^F202 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

98^I280 Part 4: interpretation¶

1 In this Part—

“notice” means notice in writing,
“relevant communications data” has the meaning given by section 87(11),
“retention notice” has the meaning given by section 87(1).

2 See also—

section 261 (telecommunications definitions),
section 262 (postal definitions),
section 263 (general definitions),
section 265 (index of defined expressions).

Part 5 Equipment interference¶

Warrants under this Part¶

^I56299 Warrants under this Part: general¶

1 There are two kinds of warrants which may be issued under this Part—

a targeted equipment interference warrants (see subsection (2));

b targeted examination warrants (see subsection (9)).

2 A targeted equipment interference warrant is a warrant which authorises or requires the person to whom it is addressed to secure interference with any equipment for the purpose of obtaining—

a communications (see section 135);

b equipment data (see section 100);

c any other information.

3 A targeted equipment interference warrant—

a must also authorise or require the person to whom it is addressed to secure the obtaining of the communications, equipment data or other information to which the warrant relates;

b may also authorise that person to secure the disclosure, in any manner described in the warrant, of anything obtained under the warrant by virtue of paragraph (a).

4 The reference in subsections (2) and (3) to the obtaining of communications or other information includes doing so by—

a monitoring, observing or listening to a person's communications or other activities;

b recording anything which is monitored, observed or listened to.

5 A targeted equipment interference warrant also authorises the following conduct (in addition to the conduct described in the warrant)—

a any conduct which it is necessary to undertake in order to do what is expressly authorised or required by the warrant, including conduct for securing the obtaining of communications, equipment data or other information;

6 A targeted equipment interference warrant may not, by virtue of subsection (3), authorise or require a person to engage in conduct, in relation to a communication other than a stored communication, which would (unless done with lawful authority) constitute an offence under section 3(1) (unlawful interception).

7 Subsection (5)(a) does not authorise a person to engage in conduct which could not be expressly authorised under the warrant because of the restriction imposed by subsection (6).

8 In subsection (6), “stored communication” means a communication stored in or by a telecommunication system (whether before or after its transmission).

9 A targeted examination warrant is a warrant which authorises the person to whom it is addressed to carry out the selection of protected material obtained under a bulk equipment interference warrant for examination, in breach of the prohibition in section 193(4) (prohibition on seeking to identify communications of, or private information relating to, individuals in the British Islands).In this Part, “protected material”, in relation to a targeted examination warrant, means any material obtained under a bulk equipment interference warrant under Chapter 3 of Part 6, other than material which is—

a equipment data;

b information (other than a communication or equipment data) which is not private information.

10 For provision enabling the combination of targeted equipment interference warrants with certain other warrants or authorisations (including targeted examination warrants), see Schedule 8.

11 Any conduct which is carried out in accordance with a warrant under this Part is lawful for all purposes.

^I340100 Meaning of “equipment data”¶

1 In this Part, “equipment data” means—

a systems data;

b data which falls within subsection (2).

2 The data falling within this subsection is identifying data which—

a is, for the purposes of a relevant system, comprised in, included as part of, attached to or logically associated with a communication (whether by the sender or otherwise) or any other item of information,

b is capable of being logically separated from the remainder of the communication or the item of information, and

c if it were so separated, would not reveal anything of what might reasonably be considered to be the meaning (if any) of the communication or the item of information, disregarding any meaning arising from the fact of the communication or the existence of the item of information or from any data relating to that fact.

3 In subsection (2), “relevant system” means any system on or by means of which the data is held.

4 For the meaning of “systems data” and “identifying data”, see section 263.

^I379101 Subject-matter of warrants¶

1 A targeted equipment interference warrant may relate to any one or more of the following matters—

a equipment belonging to, used by or in the possession of a particular person or organisation;

b equipment belonging to, used by or in the possession of a group of persons who share a common purpose or who carry on, or may carry on, a particular activity;

c equipment belonging to, used by or in the possession of more than one person or organisation, where the interference is for the purpose of a single investigation or operation;

d equipment in a particular location;

e equipment in more than one location, where the interference is for the purpose of a single investigation or operation;

f equipment which is being, or may be, used for the purposes of a particular activity or activities of a particular description;

g equipment which is being, or may be, used to test, maintain or develop capabilities relating to interference with equipment for the purpose of obtaining communications, equipment data or other information;

h equipment which is being, or may be, used for the training of persons who carry out, or are likely to carry out, such interference with equipment.

2 A targeted examination warrant may relate to any one or more of the following matters—

a a particular person or organisation;

b a group of persons who share a common purpose or who carry on, or may carry on, a particular activity;

c more than one person or organisation, where the conduct authorised by the warrant is for the purpose of a single investigation or operation;

d the testing, maintenance or development of capabilities relating to the selection of protected material for examination;

e the training of persons who carry out, or are likely to carry out, the selection of such material for examination.

Power to issue warrants¶

102 Power to issue warrants to intelligence services: the Secretary of State¶

^I263^I531 The Secretary of State may, on an application made by or on behalf of the head of an intelligence service, issue a targeted equipment interference warrant if—

a the Secretary of State considers that the warrant is necessary on grounds falling within subsection (5),

b the Secretary of State considers that the conduct authorised by the warrant is proportionate to what is sought to be achieved by that conduct,

c the Secretary of State considers that satisfactory arrangements made for the purposes of sections 129 and 130 (safeguards relating to disclosure etc.) are in force in relation to the warrant, and

d except where the Secretary of State considers that there is an urgent need to issue the warrant, the decision to issue the warrant has been approved by a Judicial Commissioner.

^I263^I532 But the Secretary of State may not issue a targeted equipment interference warrant under subsection (1) if—

a the Secretary of State considers that the only ground for considering the warrant to be necessary is for the purpose of preventing or detecting serious crime, and

b the warrant, if issued, would authorise interference only with equipment which would be in Scotland at the time of the issue of the warrant or which the Secretary of State believes would be in Scotland at that time.

For the power of the Scottish Ministers to issue a targeted equipment interference warrant, see section 103.

^I263^I533 The Secretary of State may, on an application made by or on behalf of the head of an intelligence service, issue a targeted examination warrant if—

a the Secretary of State considers that the warrant is necessary on grounds falling within subsection (5),

b the Secretary of State considers that the conduct authorised by the warrant is proportionate to what is sought to be achieved by that conduct,

c the Secretary of State considers that the warrant is or may be necessary to authorise the selection of protected material for examination in breach of the prohibition in section 193(4) (prohibition on seeking to identify communications of, or private information relating to, individuals in the British Islands), and

d except where the Secretary of State considers that there is an urgent need to issue the warrant, the decision to issue the warrant has been approved by a Judicial Commissioner.

4 But the Secretary of State may not issue a targeted examination warrant under subsection (3) if—

a the Secretary of State considers that the only ground for considering the warrant to be necessary is for the purpose of preventing or detecting serious crime, and

b the warrant, if issued, would relate only to a person who would be in Scotland at the time of the issue of the warrant or whom the Secretary of State believes would be in Scotland at that time.

For the power of the Scottish Ministers to issue a targeted examination warrant, see section 103.

^I5105 A warrant is necessary on grounds falling within this subsection if it is necessary—

a in the interests of national security,

b for the purpose of preventing or detecting serious crime, or

c in the interests of the economic well-being of the United Kingdom so far as those interests are also relevant to the interests of national security.

^I5106 A warrant may be considered necessary on the ground falling within subsection (5)(c) only if the interference with equipment which would be authorised by the warrant is considered necessary for the purpose of obtaining information relating to the acts or intentions of persons outside the British Islands.

^I5107 The fact that the information which would be obtained under a warrant relates to the activities in the British Islands of a trade union is not, of itself, sufficient to establish that the warrant is necessary on grounds falling within subsection (5).

^I5108 An application for the issue of a warrant under this section may only be made on behalf of the head of an intelligence service by a person holding office under the Crown.

^F207^I5109 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

103 Power to issue warrants to intelligence services: the Scottish Ministers¶

^I318^I1611 The Scottish Ministers may, on an application made by or on behalf of the head of an intelligence service, issue a targeted equipment interference warrant if—

a the warrant authorises interference only with equipment which is in Scotland at the time the warrant is issued or which the Scottish Ministers believe to be in Scotland at that time,

b the Scottish Ministers consider that the warrant is necessary for the purpose of preventing or detecting serious crime,

c the Scottish Ministers consider that the conduct authorised by the warrant is proportionate to what is sought to be achieved by that conduct,

d the Scottish Ministers consider that satisfactory arrangements made for the purposes of sections 129 and 130 (safeguards relating to disclosure etc.) are in force in relation to the warrant, and

e except where the Scottish Ministers consider that there is an urgent need to issue the warrant, the decision to issue the warrant has been approved by a Judicial Commissioner.

^I318^I1612 The Scottish Ministers may, on an application made by or on behalf of the head of an intelligence service, issue a targeted examination warrant if—

a the warrant relates only to a person who is in Scotland, or whom the Scottish Ministers believe to be in Scotland, at the time of the issue of the warrant,

b the Scottish Ministers consider that the warrant is necessary for the purpose of preventing or detecting serious crime,

c the Scottish Ministers consider that the conduct authorised by the warrant is proportionate to what is sought to be achieved by that conduct,

d the Scottish Ministers consider that the warrant is or may be necessary to authorise the selection of protected material in breach of the prohibition in section 193(4) (prohibition on seeking to identify communications of, or private information relating to, individuals in the British Islands), and

e except where the Scottish Ministers consider that there is an urgent need to issue the warrant, the decision to issue the warrant has been approved by a Judicial Commissioner.

^I5923 The fact that the information which would be obtained under a warrant relates to the activities in the British Islands of a trade union is not, of itself, sufficient to establish that the warrant is necessary as mentioned in subsection (1)(b) or (2)(b).

^I5924 An application for the issue of a warrant under this section may only be made on behalf of the head of an intelligence service by a person holding office under the Crown.

104 Power to issue warrants to the Chief of Defence Intelligence¶

^I59^I2781 The Secretary of State may, on an application made by or on behalf of the Chief of Defence Intelligence, issue a targeted equipment interference warrant if—

a the Secretary of State considers that the warrant is necessary in the interests of national security,

b the Secretary of State considers that the conduct authorised by the warrant is proportionate to what is sought to be achieved by that conduct,

c the Secretary of State considers that satisfactory arrangements made for the purposes of sections 129 and 130 (safeguards relating to disclosure etc.) are in force in relation to the warrant, and

d except where the Secretary of State considers that there is an urgent need to issue the warrant, the decision to issue the warrant has been approved by a Judicial Commissioner.

^I1922 The fact that the information which would be obtained under a warrant relates to the activities in the British Islands of a trade union is not, of itself, sufficient to establish that the warrant is necessary as mentioned in subsection (1)(a).

^I1923 An application for the issue of a warrant under this section may only be made on behalf of the Chief of Defence Intelligence by a person holding office under the Crown.

^I573105 Decision to issue warrants under sections 102 to 104 to be taken personally by Ministers¶

1 The decision to issue a warrant under section 102 or 104 must be taken personally by the Secretary of State.

2 The decision to issue a warrant under section 103 must be taken personally by a member of the Scottish Government.

3 Before a warrant under section 102, 103 or 104 is issued, it must be signed by the person who has taken the decision to issue it (subject to subsection (4)).

5 In such a case, the warrant must contain a statement that—

a it is not reasonably practicable for the warrant to be signed by the person who took the decision to issue it, and

b the Secretary of State or (as the case may be) a member of the Scottish Government has personally and expressly authorised the issue of the warrant.

106 Power to issue warrants to law enforcement officers¶

^I626^I2311 A law enforcement chief described in Part 1 or 2 of the table in Schedule 6 may, on an application made by a person who is an appropriate law enforcement officer in relation to the chief, issue a targeted equipment interference warrant if—

a the law enforcement chief considers that the warrant is necessary for the purpose of preventing or detecting serious crime,

b the law enforcement chief considers that the conduct authorised by the warrant is proportionate to what is sought to be achieved by that conduct,

c the law enforcement chief considers that satisfactory arrangements made for the purposes of sections 129 and 130 (safeguards relating to disclosure etc.) are in force in relation to the warrant, and

d except where the law enforcement chief considers that there is an urgent need to issue the warrant, the decision to issue the warrant has been approved by a Judicial Commissioner.

^I5322 The fact that the information which would be obtained under a warrant relates to the activities in the British Islands of a trade union is not, of itself, sufficient to establish that the warrant is necessary as mentioned in subsection (1)(a).

^I366^I2313 A law enforcement chief described in Part 1 of the table in Schedule 6 may, on an application made by a person who is an appropriate law enforcement officer in relation to the chief, issue a targeted equipment interference warrant if—

a the law enforcement chief considers that the warrant is necessary for the purpose of preventing death or any injury or damage to a person's physical or mental health or of mitigating any injury or damage to a person's physical or mental health,

b the law enforcement chief considers that the conduct authorised by the warrant is proportionate to what is sought to be achieved by that conduct,

d except where the law enforcement chief considers that there is an urgent need to issue the warrant, the decision to issue the warrant has been approved by a Judicial Commissioner.

^I366^I2314 If it is not reasonably practicable for a law enforcement chief to consider an application under this section, an appropriate delegate may, in an urgent case, exercise the power to issue a targeted equipment interference warrant.

^I5705 For the purposes of this section—

a a person is a law enforcement chief if the person is listed in the first column of the table in Schedule 6;

b a person is an appropriate delegate in relation to a law enforcement chief listed in the first column if the person is listed in the corresponding entry in the second column of that table;

c a person is an appropriate law enforcement officer in relation to a law enforcement chief listed in the first column if the person is listed in the corresponding entry in the third column of that table.

^I5706 Where the law enforcement chief is the Chief Constable or the Deputy Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the reference in subsection (1)(a) to the purpose of preventing or detecting serious crime includes a reference to the interests of national security.

^I5707 A law enforcement chief who is an immigration officer may consider that the condition in subsection (1)(a) is satisfied only if the serious crime relates to an offence which is an immigration or nationality offence (whether or not it also relates to other offences).

^I5708 A law enforcement chief who is an officer of Revenue and Customs may consider that the condition in subsection (1)(a) is satisfied only if the serious crime relates to an assigned matter within the meaning of section 1(1) of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979.

^I5709 A law enforcement chief who is a designated customs official may consider that the condition in subsection (1)(a) is satisfied only if the serious crime relates to a matter in respect of which a designated customs official has functions.

^I57010 A law enforcement chief who is the chair of the Competition and Markets Authority may consider that the condition in subsection (1)(a) is satisfied only if the offence, or all of the offences, to which the serious crime relates are offences under section 188 of the Enterprise Act 2002.

^I57011 A law enforcement chief who is the Director General of the Independent Office for Police Conduct may consider that the condition in subsection (1)(a) is satisfied only if the offence, or all of the offences, to which the serious crime relates are offences that are being investigated as part of an investigation ^F125... under Schedule 3 to the Police Reform Act 2002.

11A A law enforcement chief who is the Service Police Complaints Commissioner may consider that the condition in subsection (1)(a) is satisfied only if the offence, or all of the offences, to which the serious crime relates are offences that are being investigated as part of an investigation carried out under regulations under section 340P of the Armed Forces Act 2006 (power to make further provision).

^I57012 A law enforcement chief who is the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner may consider that the condition in subsection (1)(a) is satisfied only if the offence, or all of the offences, to which the serious crime relates are offences that are being investigated under section 33A(b)(i) of the Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2006.

^I57013 For the purpose of subsection (7), an offence is an immigration or nationality offence if conduct constituting the offence—

a relates to the entitlement of one or more persons who are not nationals of the United Kingdom to enter, transit across, or be in, the United Kingdom (including conduct which relates to conditions or other controls on any such entitlement), or

b is undertaken for the purposes of or otherwise in relation to—

i the British Nationality Act 1981;

ii the Hong Kong Act 1985;

iii the Hong Kong (War Wives and Widows) Act 1996;

iv the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1997;

v the British Overseas Territories Act 2002;

vi an instrument made under any of those Acts.

^I57014 In this section—

“designated customs official” has the same meaning as in Part 1 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 (see section 14(6) of that Act);
“immigration officer” means a person appointed as an immigration officer under paragraph 1 of Schedule 2 to the Immigration Act 1971.

^I215107 Restriction on issue of warrants to certain law enforcement officers¶

1 A law enforcement chief specified in subsection (2) may not issue a targeted equipment interference warrant under section 106 unless the law enforcement chief considers that there is a British Islands connection.

2 The law enforcement chiefs specified in this subsection are—

a the Chief Constable of a police force maintained under section 2 of the Police Act 1996;

b the Commissioner, or an Assistant Commissioner, of the metropolitan police force;

c the Commissioner of Police for the City of London;

d the chief constable of the Police Service of Scotland;

e the Chief Constable or a Deputy Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland;

f the Chief Constable of the British Transport Police Force;

g the Chief Constable of the Ministry for Defence Police;

h the Director General of the Independent Office for Police Conduct;

ha the Service Police Complaints Commissioner;

i the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner.

3 The Director General or a Deputy Director General of the National Crime Agency may not issue a targeted equipment interference warrant on the application of a member of a collaborative police force unless the Director General or the Deputy Director General (as the case may be) considers that there is a British Islands connection.“Collaborative police force” has the meaning given by paragraph 2 of Part 3 of Schedule 6.

4 For the purpose of this section, there is a British Islands connection if—

a any of the conduct authorised by the warrant would take place in the British Islands (regardless of the location of the equipment that would, or may, be interfered with),

b any of the equipment which would, or may, be interfered with would, or may, be in the British Islands at some time while the interference is taking place, or

c a purpose of the interference is to obtain—

i communications sent by, or to, a person who is, or whom the law enforcement officer believes to be, for the time being in the British Islands,

ii information relating to an individual who is, or whom the law enforcement officer believes to be, for the time being in the British Islands, or

iii equipment data which forms part of, or is connected with, communications or information falling within sub-paragraph (i) or (ii).

5 Except as provided by subsections (1) to (3), a targeted equipment interference warrant may be issued under section 106 whether or not the person who has power to issue the warrant considers that there is a British Islands connection.

Approval of warrants by Judicial Commissioners¶

^I322^I82108 Approval of warrants by Judicial Commissioners¶

1 In deciding whether to approve a person's decision to issue a warrant under this Part, a Judicial Commissioner must review the person's conclusions as to the following matters—

a whether the warrant is necessary on any relevant grounds (see subsection (3)), and

b whether the conduct which would be authorised by the warrant is proportionate to what is sought to be achieved by that conduct.

2 In doing so, the Judicial Commissioner must—

a apply the same principles as would be applied by a court on an application for judicial review, and

3 In subsection (1)(a), “relevant grounds” means—

a in the case of a decision to issue a warrant under section 102, grounds falling within section 102(5);

b in the case of a decision to issue a warrant under section 103, the purpose of preventing or detecting serious crime;

c in the case of a decision to issue a warrant under section 104, the interests of national security;

d in the case of a decision to issue a warrant under section 106(1), the purpose mentioned in section 106(1)(a);

e in the case of a decision to issue a warrant under section 106(3), the purpose mentioned in section 106(3)(a).

4 Where a Judicial Commissioner refuses to approve a person's decision to issue a warrant under this Part, the Judicial Commissioner must give the person written reasons for the refusal.

5 Where a Judicial Commissioner, other than the Investigatory Powers Commissioner, refuses to approve a person's decision to issue a warrant under this Part, the person may ask the Investigatory Powers Commissioner to decide whether to approve the decision to issue the warrant.

^I444109 Approval of warrants issued in urgent cases¶

1 This section applies where—

a a warrant under this Part is issued without the approval of a Judicial Commissioner, and

b the person who issued the warrant considered that there was an urgent need to issue it.

2 The person who issued the warrant must inform a Judicial Commissioner that it has been issued.

3 The Judicial Commissioner must, before the end of the relevant period—

a decide whether to approve the decision to issue the warrant, and

b notify the person of the Judicial Commissioner's decision.

“The relevant period” means the period ending with the third working day after the day on which the warrant was issued.

4 If a Judicial Commissioner refuses to approve the decision to issue a warrant, the warrant—

a ceases to have effect (unless already cancelled), and

b may not be renewed,

and section 108(5) does not apply in relation to the refusal to approve the decision.

5 Section 110 contains further provision about what happens if a Judicial Commissioner refuses to approve the decision to issue a warrant.

^I95110 Failure to approve warrant issued in urgent case¶

1 This section applies where under section 109(3) a Judicial Commissioner refuses to approve the decision to issue a warrant.

2 The person to whom the warrant was addressed must, so far as is reasonably practicable, secure that anything in the process of being done under the warrant stops as soon as possible.

3 Where the refusal relates to a targeted equipment interference warrant, the Judicial Commissioner may—

a authorise further interference with equipment for the purpose of enabling the person to whom the warrant was addressed to secure that anything in the process of being done under the warrant stops as soon as possible;

b direct that any of the material obtained under the warrant is destroyed;

c impose conditions as to the use or retention of any of that material.

4 Where the refusal relates to a targeted examination warrant, the Judicial Commissioner may impose conditions as to the use of any protected material selected for examination under the warrant.

5 The Judicial Commissioner—

a may require an affected party to make representations about how the Judicial Commissioner should exercise any function under subsection (3) or (4), and

b must have regard to any such representations made by an affected party (whether or not as a result of a requirement imposed under paragraph (a)).

6 Each of the following is an “affected party” for the purposes of subsection (5)—

a the person who decided to issue the warrant;

b the person to whom the warrant was addressed.

7 The person who decided to issue the warrant may ask the Investigatory Powers Commissioner to review a decision made by any other Judicial Commissioner under subsection (3) or (4).

8 On a review under subsection (7), the Investigatory Powers Commissioner may—

a confirm the Judicial Commissioner's decision, or

b make a fresh determination.

9 Nothing in this section or section 109 affects the lawfulness of—

a anything done under the warrant before it ceases to have effect;

b if anything is in the process of being done under the warrant when it ceases to have effect—

i anything done before that thing could be stopped, or

ii anything done that it is not reasonably practicable to stop.

Additional safeguards¶

111 Members of Parliament etc.¶

^I2471 Subsection (3) applies where—

a an application is made to the Secretary of State for a targeted equipment interference warrant, and

b the purpose of the warrant is to obtain—

i communications sent by, or intended for, a person who is a member of a relevant legislature, or

ii a member of a relevant legislature's private information.

^I2472 Subsection (3) also applies where—

a an application is made to the Secretary of State for a targeted examination warrant, and

b the purpose of the warrant is to authorise the selection for examination of protected material which consists of—

i communications sent by, or intended for, a person who is a member of a relevant legislature, or

ii a member of a relevant legislature's private information.

^I2473 The Secretary of State may not issue the warrant without the approval of

a the Prime Minister , or

b if conditions A and B are met, an individual (other than that Secretary of State) designated by the Prime Minister under this section.

^I6414 Subsection (5) applies where—

a an application is made under section 106 to a law enforcement chief for a targeted equipment interference warrant, and

b the purpose of the warrant is to obtain—

i communications sent by, or intended for, a person who is a member of a relevant legislature, or

ii a member of a relevant legislature's private information.

^I6415 The law enforcement chief may not issue the warrant without the approval of the Secretary of State unless the law enforcement chief believes that the warrant (if issued) would authorise interference only with equipment which would be in Scotland at the time of the issue of the warrant or which the law enforcement chief believes would be in Scotland at that time.

^I6416 The Secretary of State may give approval for the purposes of subsection (5) only with the approval of

a the Prime Minister , or

b if conditions A and B are met, an individual (other than that Secretary of State) designated by the Prime Minister under this section.

^I6417 In a case where the decision whether to issue a targeted equipment interference warrant is to be taken by an appropriate delegate in relation to a law enforcement chief under section 106(4), the reference in subsection (5) to the law enforcement chief is to be read as a reference to the appropriate delegate.

7A Condition A is that the Prime Minister is unable to decide whether to give approval under subsection (3) or (as the case may be) (6), due to incapacity or inability to access secure communications.

7B Condition B is that the Secretary of State or a senior official considers that there is an urgent need for the decision (as to whether to give such approval) to be made.

7C The Prime Minister may designate up to five individuals under this section.

7D The Prime Minister may designate an individual under this section only if the individual—

a holds the office of Secretary of State, and

b has the necessary operational awareness to decide whether to give approvals under subsection (3) or (6).

7E A designation under this section ends—

a when the individual ceases to hold the office of Secretary of State, or

b if earlier, when revoked by the Prime Minister.

^I2478 In this section “member of a relevant legislature” means—

a a member of either House of Parliament;

b a member of the Scottish Parliament;

c a member of the National Assembly for Wales;

d a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly;

^F182e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

^I543112 Items subject to legal privilege¶

1 Subsections (2) to (5) apply if—

a an application is made for a warrant under this Part, and

b the purpose, or one of the purposes, of the warrant is—

i in the case of a targeted equipment interference warrant, to authorise or require interference with equipment for the purpose of obtaining items subject to legal privilege, or

ii in the case of a targeted examination warrant, to authorise the selection of such items for examination.

2 The application must contain a statement that the purpose, or one of the purposes, of the warrant is to authorise or require interference with equipment for the purpose of obtaining items subject to legal privilege or (in the case of a targeted examination warrant) the selection for examination of items subject to legal privilege.

3 In deciding whether to issue the warrant, the person to whom the application is made must have regard to the public interest in the confidentiality of items subject to legal privilege.

4 The person to whom the application is made may issue the warrant only if the person considers—

a that there are exceptional and compelling circumstances which make it necessary to authorise or require interference with equipment for the purpose of obtaining items subject to legal privilege or (in the case of a targeted examination warrant) the selection for examination of items subject to legal privilege, and

b that the arrangements made for the purposes of section 129 or (as the case may be) section 191 (safeguards relating to retention and disclosure of material) include specific arrangements for the handling, retention, use and destruction of such items.

5 But the warrant may not be issued if it is considered necessary only as mentioned in section 102(5)(c).

6 For the purposes of subsection (4)(a), there cannot be exceptional and compelling circumstances that make it necessary to authorise or require interference with equipment for the purpose of obtaining, or the selection for examination of, items subject to legal privilege unless—

a the public interest in obtaining the information that would be obtained by the warrant outweighs the public interest in the confidentiality of items subject to legal privilege,

b there are no other means by which the information may reasonably be obtained, and

c in the case of a warrant considered necessary for the purposes of preventing or detecting serious crime or as mentioned in section 106(3)(a), obtaining the information is necessary for the purpose of preventing death or significant injury.

7 Subsections (8) and (9) apply if—

a an application is made for a warrant under this Part,

b the applicant considers that the relevant material is likely to include items subject to legal privilege, and

c subsections (2) to (5) do not apply.

8 The application must contain—

a a statement that the applicant considers that the relevant material is likely to include items subject to legal privilege, and

b an assessment of how likely it is that the relevant material will include such items.

9 The person to whom the application is made may issue the warrant only if the person considers that the arrangements made for the purposes of section 129 or (as the case may be) section 191 include specific arrangements for the handling, retention, use and destruction of items subject to legal privilege.

10 In this section, “relevant material” means—

a in relation to a targeted equipment interference warrant, any material the obtaining of which is authorised or required under the warrant;

b in relation to a targeted examination warrant, any protected material which the warrant authorises to be selected for examination.

11 Subsections (12) and (13) apply if—

a an application is made for a warrant under this Part,

b the purpose, or one of the purposes, of the warrant is—

i in the case of a targeted equipment interference warrant, to authorise or require interference with equipment for the purpose of obtaining communications or other items of information that, if they were not communications made or (as the case may be) other items of information created or held with the intention of furthering a criminal purpose, would be items subject to legal privilege, or

ii in the case of a targeted examination warrant, to authorise the selection of such communications or other items of information for examination, and

c the applicant considers that the communications or the other items of information (“the targeted communications or other items of information”) are likely to be communications made or (as the case may be) other items of information created or held with the intention of furthering a criminal purpose.

12 The application must—

a contain a statement that the purpose, or one of the purposes, of the warrant is—

i to authorise or require interference with equipment for the purpose of obtaining communications or other items of information that, if they were not communications made or (as the case may be) other items of information created or held with the intention of furthering a criminal purpose, would be items subject to legal privilege, or

ii (in the case of a targeted examination warrant) to authorise the selection of such communications or other items of information for examination, and

b set out the reasons for believing that the targeted communications or other items of information are likely to be communications made or (as the case may be) other items of information created or held with the intention of furthering a criminal purpose.

13 The person to whom the application is made may issue the warrant only if the person considers that the targeted communications or other items of information are likely to be communications made or (as the case may be) other items of information created or held with the intention of furthering a criminal purpose.

^I349113 Confidential journalistic material¶

1 This section applies if an application is made for a warrant under this Part and the purpose, or one of the purposes, of the warrant—

a in the case of a targeted equipment interference warrant, to authorise or require interference with equipment for the purpose of obtaining communications or other items of information which the applicant for the warrant believes will be communications or other items of information containing confidential journalistic material, or

b in the case of a targeted examination warrant, to authorise the selection for examination of journalistic material which the applicant for the warrant believes is confidential journalistic material.

2 The application must contain a statement that the purpose, or one of the purposes, of the warrant is—

3 The person to whom the application is made may issue the warrant only if the person considers that the arrangements made for the purposes of section 129 or (as the case may be) section 191 (safeguards relating to retention and disclosure of material) include specific arrangements for the handling, retention, use and destruction of communications or other items of information containing confidential journalistic material.

4 For the meaning of “journalistic material” and “confidential journalistic material”, see section 264.

^I357114 Sources of journalistic information¶

1 This section applies if an application is made for a warrant under this Part and the purpose, or one of the purposes, of the warrant is to identify or confirm a source of journalistic information.(For the meaning of “source of journalistic information”, see section 263(1).)

2 The application must contain a statement that the purpose, or one of the purposes, of the warrant is to identify or confirm a source of journalistic information.

Further provision about warrants¶

^I647^I324115 Requirements that must be met by warrants¶

1 A warrant under this Part must contain a provision stating whether it is a targeted equipment interference warrant or a targeted examination warrant.

2 A warrant under this Part must be addressed—

a in the case of a warrant issued under section 102 or 103, to the head of the intelligence service by whom or on whose behalf the application for the warrant was made;

b in the case of a warrant issued under section 104, to the Chief of Defence Intelligence;

c in the case of a warrant issued under section 106 by a law enforcement chief (or by an appropriate delegate in relation to a law enforcement chief), to a person who—

i is an appropriate law enforcement officer in relation to the law enforcement chief, and

ii is named or described in the warrant.

3 In the case of a targeted equipment interference warrant which relates to a matter described in the first column of the Table below, the warrant must include the details specified in the second column.

Matter	Details to be included in the warrant
Equipment belonging to, used by or in the possession of a particular person or organisation	The name of the person or organisation or a description of the person or organisation
Equipment belonging to, used by or in the possession of persons who form a group which shares a common purpose or who carry on, or may carry on, a particular activity	A description of the purpose or activity and the name of, or a description of, as many of the persons as it is reasonably practicable to name or describe
Equipment used by or in the possession of more than one person or organisation, where the interference is for the purpose of a single investigation or operation	A description of the nature of the investigation or operation and the name of, or a description of, as many of the persons or organisations as it is reasonably practicable to name or describe
Equipment in a particular location	A description of the location
Equipment in more than one location, where the interference is for the purpose of a single investigation or operation	A description of the nature of the investigation or operation and a description of as many of the locations as it is reasonably practicable to describe
Equipment which is being, or may be, used for the purposes of a particular activity or activities of a particular description	A description of the particular activity or activities
Equipment which is being, or may be, used to test, maintain or develop capabilities relating to interference with equipment	A description of the nature of the testing, maintenance or development of capabilities
Equipment which is being, or may be, used for the training of persons who carry out, or are likely to carry out, interference with equipment	A description of the nature of the training

4 A targeted equipment interference warrant must also describe—

a the type of equipment which is to be interfered with, and

b the conduct which the person to whom the warrant is addressed is authorised to take.

5 In the case of a targeted examination warrant which relates to a matter described in the first column of the Table below, the warrant must include the details specified in the second column.

Matter	Details to be included in the warrant
A particular person or organisation	The name of the person or organisation or a description of the person or organisation
A group of persons who share a common purpose or who carry on or may carry on a particular activity	A description of the purpose or activity and the name of, or a description of, as many of the persons as it is reasonably practicable to name or describe
More than one person or organisation, where the interference is for the purpose of a single investigation or operation	A description of the nature of the investigation or operation and the name of, or a description of, as many of the persons or organisations as it is reasonably practicable to name or describe
The testing, maintenance or development of capabilities relating to the selection of protected material for examination	A description of the nature of the testing, maintenance or development of capabilities
The training of persons who carry out, or are likely to carry out, the selection of protected material for examination	A description of the nature of the training

^I594116 Duration of warrants¶

1 A warrant issued under this Part ceases to have effect at the end of the relevant period (see subsection (2)), unless—

a it is renewed before the end of that period (see section 117), or

b it is cancelled or otherwise ceases to have effect before the end of that period (see sections 109 and 125).

2 In this section, “the relevant period”—

a in the case of an urgent warrant which has not been renewed, means the period ending with the fifth working day after the day on which the warrant was issued;

b in any other case, means the period of 6 months beginning with—

i the day on which the warrant was issued, or

ii in the case of a warrant which has been renewed, the day after the day at the end of which the warrant would have ceased to have effect if it had not been renewed.

3 For the purposes of subsection (2)(a), a warrant is an “urgent warrant” if—

a the warrant was issued without the approval of a Judicial Commissioner, and

b the person who decided to issue the warrant considered that there was an urgent need to issue it.

^I534^I517117 Renewal of warrants¶

1 If the renewal conditions are met, a warrant issued under this Part may be renewed, at any time during the renewal period, by an instrument issued by the appropriate person (see subsection (3)).

2 The renewal conditions are—

a that the appropriate person considers that the warrant continues to be necessary on any relevant grounds,

b that the appropriate person considers that the conduct that would be authorised by the renewed warrant continues to be proportionate to what is sought to be achieved by that conduct,

c that, in the case of a targeted examination warrant, the appropriate person considers that the warrant continues to be necessary to authorise the selection of protected material for examination in breach of the prohibition in section 193(4), and

d that the decision to renew the warrant has been approved by a Judicial Commissioner.

3 The appropriate person is—

a in the case of a warrant issued under section 102 or 104, the Secretary of State;

b in the case of a warrant issued under section 103, a member of the Scottish Government;

c in the case of a warrant issued under section 106 by a law enforcement chief or by an appropriate delegate in relation to the law enforcement chief, either—

i the law enforcement chief, or

ii if the warrant was issued by an appropriate delegate, that person.

4 In subsection (2)(a), “relevant grounds” means—

a in the case of a warrant issued under section 102, grounds falling within section 102(5),

b in the case of a warrant issued under section 103, the purpose of preventing or detecting serious crime,

c in the case of a warrant issued under section 104, the interests of national security,

d in the case of a warrant issued under section 106(1), the purpose mentioned in section 106(1)(a), or

e in the case of a warrant issued under section 106(3), the purpose mentioned in section 106(3)(a).

5 “The renewal period” means—

a in the case of an urgent warrant which has not been renewed, the relevant period;

b in any other case, the period of 30 days ending with the day at the end of which the warrant would otherwise cease to have effect.

6 The decision to renew a warrant issued under section 102 or 104 must be taken personally by the Secretary of State, and the instrument renewing the warrant must be signed by the Secretary of State.

7 The decision to renew a warrant issued under section 103 must be taken personally by a member of the Scottish Government, and the instrument renewing the warrant must be signed by the person who took that decision.

8 The instrument renewing a warrant issued under section 106 must be signed by the person who renews it.

9 Section 108 (approval of warrants by Judicial Commissioners) applies in relation to a decision to renew a warrant under this Part as it applies in relation to a decision to issue such a warrant (and accordingly any reference in that section to the person who decided to issue the warrant is to be read as a reference to the person who decided to renew it).

10 Sections 111 to 114 (additional safeguards) apply in relation to a decision to renew a warrant under this Part as they apply in relation to a decision to issue such a warrant.

11 In this section—

“relevant period” has the same meaning as in section 116;
“urgent warrant” is to be read in accordance with subsection (3) of that section.

^I587118 Modification of warrants issued by the Secretary of State or Scottish Ministers¶

1 The provisions of a warrant issued under section 102, 103 or 104 may be modified at any time by an instrument issued by the person making the modification.

2 The only modifications which may be made under this section are—

a adding to the matters to which the warrant relates (see section 101(1) and (2)), by including the details required in relation to that matter by section 115(3) or (5);

b removing a matter to which the warrant relates;

c adding (in relation to a matter to which the warrant relates) a name or description to the names or descriptions included in the warrant in accordance with section 115(3) or (5);

d varying or removing (in relation to a matter to which the warrant relates) a name or description included in the warrant in accordance with section 115(3) or (5);

e adding to the descriptions of types of equipment included in the warrant in accordance with section 115(4)(a);

f varying or removing a description of a type of equipment included in the warrant in accordance with section 115(4)(a).

3 But—

a where a targeted equipment interference warrant relates only to a matter specified in section 101(1)(a), only to a matter specified in section 101(1)(d), or only to both such matters, the details included in the warrant in accordance with section 115(3) may not be modified;

b where a targeted examination warrant relates only to a matter specified in section 101(2)(a), the details included in the warrant in accordance with section 115(5) may not be modified.

5 Nothing in this section applies in relation to modifying the provisions of a warrant in a way which does not affect the conduct authorised or required by it.

6 Sections 119 to 122 contain further provision about making modifications under this section.

^I189119 Persons who may make modifications under section 118¶

1 The persons who may make modifications under section 118 of a warrant are (subject to subsection (2))—

a in the case of a warrant issued by the Secretary of State under section 102 or 104—

i the Secretary of State, or

ii a senior official acting on behalf of the Secretary of State;

b in the case of a warrant issued by the Scottish Ministers under section 103—

i a member of the Scottish Government, or

ii a senior official acting on behalf of the Scottish Ministers.

2 Any of the following persons may also make modifications under section 118 of a warrant, but only where the person considers that there is an urgent need to make the modification—

a the person to whom the warrant is addressed;

b a person who holds a senior position in the same public authority as the person mentioned in paragraph (a).

Section 122 contains provision about the approval of modifications made in urgent cases.

3 Subsection (2) is subject to section 120(4) and (5) (special rules where any of sections 111 to 114 applies in relation to the making of a modification under section 118).

4 For the purposes of subsection (2)(b), a person holds a senior position in a public authority if—

a in the case of any of the intelligence services—

i the person is a member of the Senior Civil Service or a member of the Senior Management Structure of Her Majesty's Diplomatic Service, or

ii the person holds a position in the intelligence service of equivalent seniority to such a person;

b in the case of the Ministry of Defence—

i the person is a member of the Senior Civil Service, or

ii the person is of or above the rank of brigadier, commodore or air commodore.

^I450120 Further provision about modifications under section 118¶

1 A modification, other than a modification removing any matter, name or description, may be made under section 118 only if the person making the modification considers—

a that the modification is necessary on any relevant grounds (see subsection (2)), and

b that the conduct authorised by the modification is proportionate to what is sought to be achieved by that conduct.

2 In subsection (1)(a), “relevant grounds” means—

a in the case of a warrant issued under section 102, grounds falling within section 102(5);

b in the case of a warrant issued under section 103, the purpose of preventing or detecting serious crime;

c in the case of a warrant issued under section 104, the interests of national security.

3 Sections 111 to 114 (additional safeguards) apply in relation to the making of a modification to a warrant under section 118, other than a modification removing any matter, name or description, as they apply in relation to the issuing of a warrant.

4 Where section 111 applies in relation to the making of a modification—

a the modification must be made by the Secretary of State, and

b the modification has effect only if the decision to make the modification has been approved by a Judicial Commissioner.

5 Where section 112, 113 or 114 applies in relation to the making of a modification—

a the modification must be made by —

i the Secretary of State or (in the case of a warrant issued by the Scottish Ministers) a member of the Scottish Government, or

ii if a senior official acting on behalf of a person within sub-paragraph (i) considers that there is an urgent need to make the modification, that senior official, and

6 In a case where any of sections 111 to 114 applies in relation to the making of a modification, section 108 (approval of warrants by Judicial Commissioners) applies in relation to the decision to make the modification as it applies in relation to a decision to issue a warrant, but as if—

a the references in subsection (1)(a) and (b) of that section to the warrant were references to the modification, and

b any reference to the person who decided to issue the warrant were a reference to the person who decided to make the modification.

Section 122 contains provision about the approval of modifications made in urgent cases.

7 If, in a case where any of sections 111 to 114 applies in relation to the making of a modification, it is not reasonably practicable for the instrument making the modification to be signed by the Secretary of State or (as the case may be) a member of the Scottish Government in accordance with section 118(4), the instrument may be signed by a senior official designated by the Secretary of State or (as the case may be) the Scottish Ministers for that purpose.

8 In such a case, the instrument making the modification must contain a statement that—

a it is not reasonably practicable for the instrument to be signed by the person who took the decision to make the modification, and

b the Secretary of State or (as the case may be) a member of the Scottish Government has personally and expressly authorised the making of the modification.

^I453121 Notification of modifications¶

1 As soon as is reasonably practicable after a person makes a modification of a warrant under section 118, a Judicial Commissioner must be notified of the modification and the reasons for making it.

2 But subsection (1) does not apply where—

a the modification is to remove any matter, name or description included in the warrant in accordance with section 115(3) to (5),

b the modification is made by virtue of section 119(2), or

c any of sections 111 to 114 applies in relation to the making of the modification.

3 Where a modification is made by a senior official in accordance with section 119(1) or section 120(5)(a)(ii), the Secretary of State or (in the case of a warrant issued by the Scottish Ministers) a member of the Scottish Government must be notified personally of the modification and the reasons for making it.

4 But subsection (3) does not apply where the modification—

a is made in accordance with section 119(1), and

b is to remove any matter, name or description included in the warrant in accordance with section 115(3) to (5).

^I124122 Approval of modifications under section 118 made in urgent cases¶

1 This section applies where a person makes a modification of a warrant by virtue of section 119(2).

2 This section also applies where—

a section 112, 113 or 114 applies in relation to the making of a modification under section 118,

b the person making the modification does so without the approval of a Judicial Commissioner, and

c the person considered that there was an urgent need to make the modification.

3 The person who made the modification must inform the appropriate person that it has been made.

4 In this section—

“the appropriate person” is—
1. in a case falling within subsection (1), a designated senior official, and
2. in a case falling within subsection (2), a Judicial Commissioner;
“designated senior official” means a senior official who has been designated by the Secretary of State or (in the case of warrants issued by the Scottish Ministers) the Scottish Ministers for the purposes of this section.

5 The appropriate person must, before the end of the relevant period—

a decide whether to approve the decision to make the modification, and

b notify the person of the appropriate person's decision.

“The relevant period” means the period ending with the third working day after the day on which the modification was made.

6 As soon as is reasonably practicable after a designated senior official makes a decision under subsection (5)—

a a Judicial Commissioner must be notified of—

i the decision, and

ii if the senior official has decided to approve the decision to make the modification, the modification in question, and

7 If the appropriate person refuses to approve the decision to make the modification—

a the warrant (unless it no longer has effect) has effect as if the modification had not been made, and

and, in a case falling within subsection (2) above, section 108(5) does not apply in relation to the refusal to approve the decision.

8 In a case where the appropriate person refuses to approve a decision to make a modification of a targeted equipment interference warrant, the appropriate person may authorise further interference with equipment for the purpose of enabling the person to whom the warrant is addressed to secure that anything in the process of being done under the warrant by virtue of the modification stops as soon as possible.

9 If the appropriate person authorises further interference with equipment under subsection (8), the Secretary of State or (in the case of a warrant issued by the Scottish Ministers) a member of the Scottish Government must be notified personally of the authorisation.

10 Nothing in this section affects the lawfulness of—

a anything done under the warrant by virtue of the modification before the modification ceases to have effect;

b if anything is in the process of being done under the warrant by virtue of the modification when the modification ceases to have effect—

i anything done before that thing could be stopped, or

ii anything done which it is not reasonably practicable to stop.

^I302123 Modification of warrants issued by law enforcement chiefs¶

1 The provisions of a warrant issued under section 106 by a law enforcement chief, or by an appropriate delegate in relation to that chief, may be modified at any time—

a by the law enforcement chief, or

b if the warrant was issued by an appropriate delegate, by that person.

2 The only modifications which may be made under this section are—

a adding to the matters to which the warrant relates (see section 101(1) and (2)), by including the details required in relation to that matter by section 115(3) or (5);

b removing a matter to which the warrant relates;

c adding (in relation to a matter to which the warrant relates) a name or description to the names or descriptions included in the warrant in accordance with section 115(3) or (5);

d varying or removing (in relation to a matter to which the warrant relates) a name or description included in the warrant in accordance with section 115(3) or (5);

e adding to the descriptions of types of equipment included in the warrant in accordance with section 115(4)(a);

f varying or removing a description of a type of equipment included in the warrant in accordance with section 115(4)(a).

3 But where a warrant relates only to a matter specified in section 101(1)(a), only to a matter specified in section 101(1)(d), or only to both such matters, the details included in the warrant in accordance with section 115(3) may not be modified.

4 A modification may be made only if—

a except in the case of a modification removing any matter, name or description, the person making the modification considers that—

i the modification is necessary on any relevant grounds (see subsection (5)), and

ii the conduct authorised by the modification is proportionate to what is sought to be achieved by that conduct, and

b except where the person making the modification considers that there is an urgent need to make it, the decision to make the modification has been approved by a Judicial Commissioner.

5 In subsection (4)(a), “relevant grounds” means—

a in the case of a warrant issued under section 106(1), the purpose mentioned in section 106(1)(a);

b in the case of a warrant issued under section 106(3), the purpose mentioned in section 106(3)(a).

6 The decision to make any modification must be taken personally by the person making the modification, and the instrument making the modification must be signed by that person.

7 Section 108 (approval of warrants by Judicial Commissioners) applies in relation to a decision to make a modification of a warrant issued under section 106 as it applies in relation to a decision to issue such a warrant, but as if—

a the references in subsection (1)(a) and (b) of that section to the warrant were references to the modification, and

b any reference to the person who decided to issue the warrant were a reference to the person who decided to make the modification.

8 Sections 111 to 114 (additional safeguards) apply in relation to the making of a modification to a warrant under this section, other than a modification removing any matter, name or description, as they apply in relation to the issuing of a warrant.

9 In the application of section 111 in accordance with subsection (8), subsection (5) is to be read as if for the words from “unless” to the end of the subsection there were substituted “ unless the law enforcement chief believes that the warrant (as modified) would authorise interference only with equipment which would be in Scotland at the time of the making of the modification or which the law enforcement chief believes would be in Scotland at that time ”.

10 Where section 111 applies in relation to the making of a modification to a warrant under this section, subsection (4)(b) of this section has effect in relation to the making of the modification as if the words “except where the person making the modification considers that there is an urgent need to make it” were omitted.

11 Nothing in this section applies in relation to modifying the provisions of a warrant in a way which does not affect the conduct authorised or required by it.

^I593124 Approval of modifications under section 123 in urgent cases¶

1 This section applies where—

a a modification is made under section 123 without the approval of a Judicial Commissioner, and

b the person who made the modification considered that there was an urgent need to make it.

2 The person who made the modification must inform a Judicial Commissioner that it has been made.

3 The Judicial Commissioner must, before the end of the relevant period—

a decide whether to approve the decision to make the modification, and

b notify the person of the Judicial Commissioner's decision.

“The relevant period” means the period ending with the third working day after the day on which the modification was made.

4 If the Judicial Commissioner refuses to approve the decision to make the modification—

a the person who issued the warrant must be notified of the refusal,

b the warrant (unless it no longer has effect) has effect as if the modification had not been made, and

c the person to whom the warrant is addressed must, so far as is reasonably practicable, secure that anything in the process of being done under the warrant by virtue of that modification stops as soon as possible;

and section 108(5) does not apply in relation to the refusal to approve the decision.

5 In a case where a Judicial Commissioner refuses to approve a decision to make a modification of a targeted equipment interference warrant, the Judicial Commissioner may authorise further interference with equipment for the purpose of enabling the person to whom the warrant is addressed to secure that anything in the process of being done under the warrant by virtue of the modification stops as soon as possible.

6 If the Judicial Commissioner authorises further interference with equipment under subsection (5), the person who issued the warrant must be informed of the authorisation.

7 Nothing in this section affects the lawfulness of—

a anything done under the warrant by virtue of the modification before the modification ceases to have effect;

b if anything is in the process of being done under the warrant by virtue of the modification when the modification ceases to have effect—

i anything done before that thing could be stopped, or

ii anything done which it is not reasonably practicable to stop.

^I343^I466125 Cancellation of warrants¶

1 Any of the appropriate persons may cancel a warrant issued under this Part at any time.

2 If any of the appropriate persons considers that—

a a warrant issued under this Part is no longer necessary on any relevant grounds, or

b the conduct authorised by a warrant issued under this Part is no longer proportionate to what is sought to be achieved by the conduct,

the person must cancel the warrant.

3 In subsection (2)(a), “relevant grounds” means—

a in the case of a warrant issued under section 102, grounds falling within section 102(5);

b in the case of a warrant issued under section 103, the purpose of preventing or detecting serious crime;

c in the case of a warrant issued under section 104, the interests of national security;

d in the case of a warrant issued under section 106(1), the purpose mentioned in section 106(1)(a);

e in the case of a warrant issued under section 106(3), the purpose mentioned in section 106(3)(a).

4 For the purposes of this section, “the appropriate persons” are—

a in the case of a warrant issued by the Secretary of State under section 102 or 104, the Secretary of State or a senior official acting on behalf of the Secretary of State;

b in the case of a warrant issued by the Scottish Ministers under section 103, a member of the Scottish Government or a senior official acting on behalf of the Scottish Ministers;

c in the case of a warrant issued under section 106 by a law enforcement chief or by an appropriate delegate in relation to the law enforcement chief, either—

i the law enforcement chief, or

ii if the warrant was issued by an appropriate delegate, that person.

6 A warrant that has been cancelled under this section may not be renewed.

Implementation of warrants¶

^I171126 Implementation of warrants¶

1 In giving effect to a targeted equipment interference warrant, the person to whom it is addressed (“the implementing authority”) may (in addition to acting alone) act through, or together with, such other persons as the implementing authority may require (whether under subsection (2) or otherwise) to provide the authority with assistance in giving effect to the warrant.

2 For the purpose of requiring any person to provide assistance in relation to a targeted equipment interference warrant, the implementing authority may—

a serve a copy of the warrant on any person whom the implementing authority considers may be able to provide such assistance, or

b make arrangements for the service of a copy of the warrant on any such person.

3 A copy of a warrant may be served under subsection (2) on a person outside the United Kingdom for the purpose of requiring the person to provide such assistance in the form of conduct outside the United Kingdom.

4 For the purposes of this Act, the provision of assistance in giving effect to a targeted equipment interference warrant includes any disclosure to the implementing authority, or to persons acting on that person's behalf, of material obtained under the warrant.

5 The references in subsections (2) and (3) and sections 127 and 128 to the service of a copy of a warrant include—

a the service of a copy of one or more schedules contained in the warrant with the omission of the remainder of the warrant, and

b the service of a copy of the warrant with the omission of any schedule contained in it.

^I589127 Service of warrants¶

1 This section applies to the service of warrants under section 126(2).

2 A copy of the warrant must be served in such a way as to bring the contents of the warrant to the attention of the person who the implementing authority considers may be able to provide assistance in relation to it.

3 A copy of a warrant may be served on a person outside the United Kingdom in any of the following ways (as well as by electronic or other means of service)—

c by making it available for inspection (whether to the person or to someone acting on the person's behalf) at a place in the United Kingdom (but this is subject to subsection (4)).

4 A copy of a warrant may be served on a person outside the United Kingdom in the way mentioned in subsection (3)(c) only if—

a it is not reasonably practicable for a copy to be served by any other means (whether as mentioned in subsection (3)(a) or (b) or otherwise), and

b the implementing authority takes such steps as it considers appropriate for the purpose of bringing the contents of the warrant, and the availability of a copy for inspection, to the attention of the person.

5 The steps mentioned in subsection (4)(b) must be taken as soon as reasonably practicable after the copy of the warrant is made available for inspection.

6 In this section, “the implementing authority” has the same meaning as in section 126.

128 Duty of telecommunications operators to assist with implementation¶

^I2811 A telecommunications operator that has been served with a copy of a targeted equipment interference warrant issued by the Secretary of State under section 102 or 104, or by the Scottish Ministers under section 103, must take all steps for giving effect to the warrant which are notified to the telecommunications operator by or on behalf of the person to whom the warrant is addressed.

^I1542 A telecommunications operator that has been served with a copy of a targeted equipment interference warrant issued under section 106 and addressed to a law enforcement officer mentioned in subsection (3) must take all steps for giving effect to the warrant which—

a were approved by the Secretary of State or, in the case of a warrant addressed to a constable of the Police Service of Scotland, by the Scottish Ministers, before the warrant was served, and

b are notified to the telecommunications operator by or on behalf of the law enforcement officer.

^I1543 The law enforcement officers mentioned in this subsection are—

a a National Crime Agency officer;

b an officer of Revenue and Customs;

c a constable of the Police Service of Scotland;

d a member of the Police Service of Northern Ireland;

e a member of the metropolitan police force.

^I1544 The Secretary of State or the Scottish Ministers may give approval for the purposes of subsection (2)(a) if the Secretary of State or (as the case may be) the Scottish Ministers consider that—

a it is necessary for the telecommunications operator to be required to take the steps, and

b the steps are proportionate to what is sought to be achieved by them.

^I2815 A telecommunications operator is not required to take any steps which it is not reasonably practicable for the telecommunications operator to take.

^I2816 Where obligations have been imposed on a telecommunications operator (“P”) under section 253 (technical capability notices), for the purposes of subsection (5) the steps which it is reasonably practicable for P to take include every step which it would have been reasonably practicable for P to take if P had complied with all of those obligations.

^I2817 The duty imposed by subsection (1) or (2) is enforceable against a person in the United Kingdom by civil proceedings by the Secretary of State for an injunction, or for specific performance of a statutory duty under section 45 of the Court of Session Act 1988, or for any other appropriate relief.

Supplementary provision¶

^I472^I452129 Safeguards relating to retention and disclosure of material¶

1 The issuing authority must ensure, in relation to every targeted equipment interference warrant issued by that authority, that arrangements are in force for securing that the requirements of subsections (2) and (5) are met in relation to the material obtained under the warrant.This is subject to subsection (10).

a the number of persons to whom any of the material is disclosed or otherwise made available;

b the extent to which any of the material is disclosed or otherwise made available;

c the extent to which any of the material is copied;

d the number of copies that are made.

3 For the purposes of subsection (2), something is necessary for the authorised purposes if, and only if—

a it is, or is likely to become, necessary on any relevant grounds (see subsection (7)),

b it is necessary for facilitating the carrying out of any functions under this Act of the Secretary of State, the Scottish Ministers or the person to whom the warrant is or was addressed,

c it is necessary for facilitating the carrying out of any functions of the Judicial Commissioners or of the Investigatory Powers Tribunal under or in relation to this Act,

d it is necessary for the purpose of legal proceedings, or

e it is necessary for the performance of the functions of any person under any enactment.

6 For the purposes of subsection (5), there are no longer any grounds for retaining a copy of any material if, and only if—

a its retention is not necessary, or not likely to become necessary, on any relevant grounds (see subsection (7)), and

b its retention is not necessary for any of the purposes mentioned in paragraphs (b) to (e) of subsection (3) above.

7 In subsections (3) and (6), “relevant grounds” means—

a in relation to a warrant issued under section 102, grounds falling within section 102(5);

b in relation to a warrant issued under section 103, the purpose of preventing or detecting serious crime;

c in relation to a warrant issued under section 104, the interests of national security;

d in the case of a warrant issued under section 106(1), the purpose mentioned in section 106(1)(a);

e in the case of a warrant issued under section 106(3), the purpose mentioned in section 106(3)(a).

8 Where—

a material obtained under a targeted equipment interference warrant is retained, following its examination, for purposes other than the destruction of the material, and

b it is material that contains confidential journalistic material or identifies a source of journalistic material,

the person to whom the warrant is addressed must inform the Investigatory Powers Commissioner as soon as is reasonably practicable.

9 Subsection (10) applies if—

a any material obtained under the warrant has been handed over to any overseas authorities, or

b a copy of any such material has been given to any overseas authorities.

10 To the extent that the requirements of subsections (2) and (5) relate to any of the material mentioned in subsection (9)(a), or to the copy mentioned in subsection (9)(b), the arrangements made for the purpose of this section are not required to secure that those requirements are met (see instead section 130).

11 In this section—

“copy”, in relation to material obtained under a warrant, means any of the following (whether or not in documentary form)—
1. any copy, extract or summary of the material which identifies the material as having been obtained under the warrant, and
2. any record which is a record of the identities of persons who owned, used or were in possession of the equipment which was interfered with to obtain that material,
and “copied” is to be read accordingly;
“the issuing authority” means—
1. in the case of a warrant issued under section 102 or 104, the Secretary of State;
2. in the case of a warrant issued under section 103, the Scottish Ministers;
3. in the case of a warrant issued under section 106, the law enforcement chief who issued the warrant (or on whose behalf it was issued);
“overseas authorities” means authorities of a country or territory outside the United Kingdom.

^I21130 Safeguards relating to disclosure of material overseas¶

1 The issuing authority must ensure, in relation to every targeted equipment interference warrant, that arrangements are in force for securing that—

a any material obtained under the warrant is handed over to overseas authorities only if the requirements of subsection (2) are met, and

b copies of any such material are given to overseas authorities only if those requirements are met.

2 The requirements of this subsection are met in the case of a warrant if it appears to the issuing authority that requirements corresponding to the requirements of section 129(2) and (5) will apply, to such extent (if any) as the issuing authority considers appropriate, in relation to any of the material which is handed over, or any copy of which is given, to the authorities in question.

3 In this section—

“copy” has the same meaning as in section 129;
“issuing authority” also has the same meaning as in that section;
“overseas authorities” means authorities of a country or territory outside the United Kingdom.

^I422131 Additional safeguards for items subject to legal privilege¶

1 This section applies where an item subject to legal privilege which has been obtained under a targeted equipment interference warrant is retained, following its examination, for purposes other than the destruction of the item.

2 The person to whom the warrant is addressed must inform the Investigatory Powers Commissioner of the retention of the item as soon as is reasonably practicable.

3 Unless the Investigatory Powers Commissioner considers that subsection (5) applies to the item, the Commissioner must—

a direct that the item is destroyed, or

b impose one or more conditions as to the use or retention of that item.

5 This subsection applies to an item subject to legal privilege if—

a the public interest in retaining the item outweighs the public interest in the confidentiality of items subject to legal privilege, and

b retaining the item is necessary in the interests of national security or for the purpose of preventing death or significant injury.

6 The Investigatory Powers Commissioner—

a may require an affected party to make representations about how the Commissioner should exercise any function under subsection (3), and

b must have regard to any such representations made by an affected party (whether or not as a result of a requirement imposed under paragraph (a)).

7 Each of the following is an “affected party” for the purposes of subsection (6)—

a the issuing authority (within the meaning given by section 129(11));

b the person to whom the warrant is or was addressed.

^I308132 Duty not to make unauthorised disclosures¶

1 A person to whom this section applies must not make an unauthorised disclosure to another person.

2 A person makes an unauthorised disclosure for the purposes of this section if—

a the person discloses any of the matters within subsection (4) in relation to a warrant under this Part, and

b the disclosure is not an excepted disclosure (see section 133).

3 This section applies to the following persons—

a any person who may apply for a warrant under this Part;

b any person holding office under the Crown;

c any person employed by, or for the purposes of, a police force;

d any telecommunications operator;

e any person employed or engaged for the purposes of any business of a telecommunications operator;

f any person to whom any of the matters within subsection (4) have been disclosed in relation to a warrant under this Part.

4 The matters referred to in subsection (2)(a) are—

a the existence or contents of the warrant;

b the details of the issue of the warrant or of any renewal or modification of the warrant;

c the existence or contents of any requirement to provide assistance in giving effect to the warrant;

d the steps taken in pursuance of the warrant or of any such requirement;

e any of the material obtained under the warrant in a form which identifies it as having been obtained under a warrant under this Part.

^I426133 Section 132: meaning of “excepted disclosure”¶

1 For the purposes of section 132, a disclosure made in relation to a warrant is an excepted disclosure if it falls within any of the Heads set out in—

a subsection (2) (disclosures authorised by warrant etc.);

b subsection (3) (oversight bodies);

c subsection (4) (legal proceedings);

d subsection (6) (disclosures of a general nature).

2 Head 1 is—

a a disclosure authorised by the warrant;

b a disclosure authorised by the person to whom the warrant is or was addressed or under any arrangements made by that person for the purposes of this section;

c a disclosure authorised by the terms of any requirement to provide assistance in giving effect to the warrant (including any requirement for disclosure imposed by virtue of section 126(4)).

3 Head 2 is—

a a disclosure made to, or authorised by, a Judicial Commissioner;

b a disclosure made to the Director General of the Independent Office for Police Conduct for the purposes of facilitating the carrying out of any of the Director General’s functions;

ba a disclosure made to the Service Police Complaints Commissioner for the purposes of facilitating the carrying out of any of the Commissioner’s functions;

c a disclosure made to the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament for the purposes of facilitating the carrying out of any of its functions.

4 Head 3 is—

a a disclosure made—

i in contemplation of, or in connection with, any legal proceedings, and

ii for the purposes of those proceedings;

b a disclosure made—

i by a professional legal adviser (“L”) to L's client or a representative of L's client, or

ii by L's client, or by a representative of L's client, to L,

in connection with the giving, by L to L's client, of advice about the effect of the provisions of this Part.

5 But a disclosure within Head 3 is not an excepted disclosure if it is made with the intention of furthering a criminal purpose.

6 Head 4 is—

a a disclosure which—

i is made by a telecommunications operator in accordance with a requirement imposed by regulations made by the Secretary of State, and

ii consists of statistical information of a description specified in the regulations;

b a disclosure of information that does not relate to any particular warrant under this Part but relates to such warrants in general.

^I459134 Offence of making unauthorised disclosure¶

1 A person commits an offence if—

a the person discloses any matter in breach of section 132(1), and

b the person knew that the disclosure was in breach of that section.

2 A person who is guilty of an offence under this section is liable—

a on summary conviction in England and Wales—

i to imprisonment for a term not exceeding the general limit in a magistrates’ court (or 6 months, if the offence was committed before 2 May 2022), or

ii to a fine,

or to both;

b on summary conviction in Scotland—

i to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or

ii to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum,

or to both;

c on summary conviction in Northern Ireland—

i to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or

ii to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum,

or to both;

d on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or to a fine, or to both.

^I436135 Part 5: interpretation¶

1 In this Part—

“communication” includes—
1. anything comprising speech, music, sounds, visual images or data of any description, and
2. signals serving either for the impartation of anything between persons, between a person and a thing or between things or for the actuation or control of any apparatus;
“equipment” means equipment producing electromagnetic, acoustic or other emissions or any device capable of being used in connection with such equipment;
“equipment data” has the meaning given by section 100;
“private information” includes information relating to a person's private or family life;
“protected material”, in relation to a targeted examination warrant, has the meaning given by section 99(9);
“senior official” means—
1. in the case of a targeted equipment interference warrant which is or may be issued by the Secretary of State or a law enforcement chief, or in the case of a targeted examination warrant which is or may be issued by the Secretary of State, a member of the Senior Civil Service or a member of the Senior Management Structure of Her Majesty's Diplomatic Service;
2. in the case of a targeted equipment interference warrant or a targeted examination warrant which is or may be issued by the Scottish Ministers, a member of the staff of the Scottish Administration who is a member of the Senior Civil Service;
“targeted examination warrant” has the meaning given by section 99(9).

2 See also—

section 261 (telecommunications definitions),
section 263 (general definitions),
section 264 (general definitions: “journalistic material” etc.),
section 265 (index of defined expressions).

Part 6 Bulk warrants¶

CHAPTER 1 Bulk interception warrants¶

Bulk interception warrants¶

^I630136 Bulk interception warrants¶

1 For the purposes of this Act a “bulk interception warrant” is a warrant issued under this Chapter which meets conditions A and B.

2 Condition A is that the main purpose of the warrant is one or more of the following—

a the interception of overseas-related communications (see subsection (3));

b the obtaining of secondary data from such communications (see section 137).

3 In this Chapter “overseas-related communications” means—

a communications sent by individuals who are outside the British Islands, or

b communications received by individuals who are outside the British Islands.

4 Condition B is that the warrant authorises or requires the person to whom it is addressed to secure, by any conduct described in the warrant, any one or more of the following activities—

a the interception, in the course of their transmission by means of a telecommunication system, of communications described in the warrant;

b the obtaining of secondary data from communications transmitted by means of such a system and described in the warrant;

c the selection for examination, in any manner described in the warrant, of intercepted content or secondary data obtained under the warrant;

d the disclosure, in any manner described in the warrant, of anything obtained under the warrant to the person to whom the warrant is addressed or to any person acting on that person's behalf.

5 A bulk interception warrant also authorises the following conduct (in addition to the conduct described in the warrant)—

a any conduct which it is necessary to undertake in order to do what is expressly authorised or required by the warrant, including—

i the interception of communications not described in the warrant, and

ii conduct for obtaining secondary data from such communications;

b conduct by any person which is conduct in pursuance of a requirement imposed by or on behalf of the person to whom the warrant is addressed to be provided with assistance in giving effect to the warrant;

c any conduct for obtaining related systems data from any telecommunications operator.

6 For the purposes of subsection (5)(c)—

“related systems data”, in relation to a warrant, means systems data relating to a relevant communication or to the sender or recipient, or intended recipient, of a relevant communication (whether or not a person), and
“relevant communication”, in relation to a warrant, means—
1. any communication intercepted in accordance with the warrant in the course of its transmission by means of a telecommunication system, or
2. any communication from which secondary data is obtained under the warrant.

^I305137 Obtaining secondary data¶

1 This section has effect for the purposes of this Chapter.

2 References to obtaining secondary data from a communication transmitted by means of a telecommunication system are references to obtaining such data—

a while the communication is being transmitted, or

b at any time when the communication is stored in or by the system (whether before or after its transmission),

and references to secondary data obtained under a bulk interception warrant are to be read accordingly.

3 “Secondary data”, in relation to a communication transmitted by means of a telecommunication system, means any data falling within subsection (4) or (5).

4 The data falling within this subsection is systems data which is comprised in, included as part of, attached to or logically associated with the communication (whether by the sender or otherwise).

5 The data falling within this subsection is identifying data which—

a is comprised in, included as part of, attached to or logically associated with the communication (whether by the sender or otherwise),

b is capable of being logically separated from the remainder of the communication, and

6 For the meaning of “systems data” and “identifying data”, see section 263.

^I581^I169138 Power to issue bulk interception warrants¶

1 The Secretary of State may, on an application made by or on behalf of the head of an intelligence service, issue a bulk interception warrant if—

a the Secretary of State considers that the main purpose of the warrant is one or more of the following—

i the interception of overseas-related communications, and

ii the obtaining of secondary data from such communications,

b the Secretary of State considers that the warrant is necessary—

i in the interests of national security, or

ii on that ground and on any other grounds falling within subsection (2),

c the Secretary of State considers that the conduct authorised by the warrant is proportionate to what is sought to be achieved by that conduct,

d the Secretary of State considers that—

i each of the specified operational purposes (see section 142) is a purpose for which the examination of intercepted content or secondary data obtained under the warrant is or may be necessary, and

ii the examination of intercepted content or secondary data for each such purpose is necessary on any of the grounds on which the Secretary of State considers the warrant to be necessary,

e the Secretary of State considers that satisfactory arrangements made for the purposes of sections 150 and 151 (safeguards relating to disclosure etc.) are in force in relation to the warrant,

f in a case where the Secretary of State considers that a telecommunications operator outside the United Kingdom is likely to be required to provide assistance in giving effect to the warrant if it is issued, the Secretary of State has complied with section 139, and

g the decision to issue the warrant has been approved by a Judicial Commissioner.

For the meaning of “head of an intelligence service”, see section 263.

2 A warrant is necessary on grounds falling within this subsection if it is necessary—

a for the purpose of preventing or detecting serious crime, or

b in the interests of the economic well-being of the United Kingdom so far as those interests are also relevant to the interests of national security (but see subsection (3)).

3 A warrant may be considered necessary on the ground falling within subsection (2)(b) only if the information which it is considered necessary to obtain is information relating to the acts or intentions of persons outside the British Islands.

4 A warrant may not be considered necessary in the interests of national security or on any other grounds falling within subsection (2) if it is considered necessary only for the purpose of gathering evidence for use in any legal proceedings.

5 An application for the issue of a bulk interception warrant may only be made on behalf of the head of an intelligence service by a person holding office under the Crown.

^I320139 Additional requirements in respect of warrants affecting overseas operators¶

1 This section applies where—

a an application for a bulk interception warrant has been made, and

b the Secretary of State considers that a telecommunications operator outside the United Kingdom is likely to be required to provide assistance in giving effect to the warrant if it is issued.

2 Before issuing the warrant, the Secretary of State must consult the operator.

3 Before issuing the warrant, the Secretary of State must, among other matters, take into account—

a the likely benefits of the warrant,

b the likely number of users (if known) of any telecommunications service which is provided by the operator and to which the warrant relates,

c the technical feasibility of complying with any requirement that may be imposed on the operator to provide assistance in giving effect to the warrant,

d the likely cost of complying with any such requirement, and

e any other effect of the warrant on the operator.

^I243140 Approval of warrants by Judicial Commissioners¶

1 In deciding whether to approve a decision to issue a warrant under section 138, a Judicial Commissioner must review the Secretary of State's conclusions as to the following matters—

a whether the warrant is necessary as mentioned in subsection (1)(b) of that section,

b whether the conduct that would be authorised by the warrant is proportionate to what is sought to be achieved by that conduct,

c whether—

i each of the specified operational purposes (see section 142) is a purpose for which the examination of intercepted content or secondary data obtained under the warrant is or may be necessary, and

ii the examination of intercepted content or secondary data for each such purpose is necessary as mentioned in section 138(1)(d)(ii), and

d any matters taken into account in accordance with section 139.

2 In doing so, the Judicial Commissioner must—

a apply the same principles as would be applied by a court on an application for judicial review, and

3 Where a Judicial Commissioner refuses to approve a decision to issue a warrant under section 138, the Judicial Commissioner must give the Secretary of State written reasons for the refusal.

4 Where a Judicial Commissioner, other than the Investigatory Powers Commissioner, refuses to approve a decision to issue a warrant under section 138, the Secretary of State may ask the Investigatory Powers Commissioner to decide whether to approve the decision to issue the warrant.

^I404141 Decisions to issue warrants to be taken personally by Secretary of State¶

1 The decision to issue a bulk interception warrant must be taken personally by the Secretary of State.

2 Before a bulk interception warrant is issued, it must be signed by the Secretary of State.

^I477142 Requirements that must be met by warrants¶

1 A bulk interception warrant must contain a provision stating that it is a bulk interception warrant.

2 A bulk interception warrant must be addressed to the head of the intelligence service by whom, or on whose behalf, the application for the warrant was made.

3 A bulk interception warrant must specify the operational purposes for which any intercepted content or secondary data obtained under the warrant may be selected for examination.

4 The operational purposes specified in the warrant must be ones specified, in a list maintained by the heads of the intelligence services (“the list of operational purposes”), as purposes which they consider are operational purposes for which intercepted content or secondary data obtained under bulk interception warrants may be selected for examination.

5 The warrant may, in particular, specify all of the operational purposes which, at the time the warrant is issued, are specified in the list of operational purposes.

6 An operational purpose may be specified in the list of operational purposes only with the approval of the Secretary of State.

7 The Secretary of State may give such approval only if satisfied that the operational purpose is specified in a greater level of detail than the descriptions contained in section 138(1)(b) or (2).

8 At the end of each relevant three-month period the Secretary of State must give a copy of the list of operational purposes to the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament.

9 In subsection (8) “relevant three-month period” means—

a the period of three months beginning with the day on which this section comes into force, and

b each successive period of three months.

10 The Prime Minister must review the list of operational purposes at least once a year.

11 In this Chapter “the specified operational purposes”, in relation to a bulk interception warrant, means the operational purposes specified in the warrant in accordance with this section.

Duration, modification and cancellation of warrants¶

^I572143 Duration of warrants¶

1 A bulk interception warrant (unless already cancelled) ceases to have effect at the end of the period of 6 months beginning with—

a the day on which the warrant was issued, or

b in the case of a warrant that has been renewed, the day after the day at the end of which the warrant would have ceased to have effect if it had not been renewed.

2 For provision about the renewal of warrants, see section 144.

^I526144 Renewal of warrants¶

1 If the renewal conditions are met, a bulk interception warrant may be renewed, at any time during the renewal period, by an instrument issued by the Secretary of State.This is subject to subsection (6).

2 The renewal conditions are—

a that the Secretary of State considers that the warrant continues to be necessary—

i in the interests of national security, or

ii on that ground and on any other grounds falling within section 138(2),

b that the Secretary of State considers that the conduct that would be authorised by the renewed warrant continues to be proportionate to what is sought to be achieved by that conduct,

c that the Secretary of State considers that—

i each of the specified operational purposes (see section 142) is a purpose for which the examination of intercepted content or secondary data obtained under the warrant continues to be, or may be, necessary, and

ii the examination of intercepted content or secondary data for each such purpose continues to be necessary on any of the grounds on which the Secretary of State considers that the warrant continues to be necessary, and

d that the decision to renew the warrant has been approved by a Judicial Commissioner.

3 “The renewal period” means the period of 30 days ending with the day at the end of which the warrant would otherwise cease to have effect.

4 The decision to renew a bulk interception warrant must be taken personally by the Secretary of State, and the instrument renewing the warrant must be signed by the Secretary of State.

5 Section 140 (approval of warrants by Judicial Commissioners) applies in relation to a decision to renew a bulk interception warrant as it applies in relation to a decision to issue a bulk interception warrant, but with the omission of paragraph (d) of subsection (1).This is subject to subsection (6).

6 In the case of the renewal of a bulk interception warrant that has been modified so that it no longer authorises or requires the interception of communications or the obtaining of secondary data—

a the renewal condition in subsection (2)(a) is to be disregarded,

b the reference in subsection (2)(c)(ii) to the grounds on which the Secretary of State considers the warrant to be necessary is to be read as a reference to any grounds falling within section 138(1)(b) or (2), and

c section 140 has effect as if—

i paragraph (a) of subsection (1) were omitted, and

ii the reference in subsection (1)(c)(ii) to the grounds on which the Secretary of State considers the warrant to be necessary were a reference to any grounds falling within section 138(1)(b) or (2).

^I358145 Modification of warrants¶

1 The provisions of a bulk interception warrant may be modified at any time by an instrument issued by the person making the modification.

2 The only modifications that may be made under this section are—

a adding, varying or removing any operational purpose specified in the warrant as a purpose for which any intercepted content or secondary data obtained under the warrant may be selected for examination, and

b providing that the warrant no longer authorises or requires (to the extent that it did so previously)—

i the interception of any communications in the course of their transmission by means of a telecommunication system, or

ii the obtaining of any secondary data from communications transmitted by means of such a system.

3 In this section—

a a modification adding or varying any operational purpose as mentioned in paragraph (a) of subsection (2) is referred to as a “major modification”, and

b any other modification within that subsection is referred to as a “minor modification”.

4 A major modification—

a must be made by the Secretary of State, and

b may be made only if the Secretary of State considers that it is necessary on any of the grounds on which the Secretary of State considers the warrant to be necessary (see section 138(1)(b)).

5 Except where the Secretary of State considers that there is an urgent need to make the modification, a major modification has effect only if the decision to make the modification is approved by a Judicial Commissioner.

6 A minor modification may be made by—

a the Secretary of State, or

b a senior official acting on behalf of the Secretary of State.

7 Where a minor modification is made by a senior official, the Secretary of State must be notified personally of the modification and the reasons for making it.

8 If at any time a person mentioned in subsection (6) considers that any operational purpose specified in a warrant is no longer a purpose for which the examination of intercepted content or secondary data obtained under the warrant is or may be necessary, the person must modify the warrant by removing that operational purpose.

9 The decision to modify the provisions of a warrant must be taken personally by the person making the modification, and the instrument making the modification must be signed by that person.This is subject to subsection (10).

10 If it is not reasonably practicable for an instrument making a major modification to be signed by the Secretary of State, the instrument may be signed by a senior official designated by the Secretary of State for that purpose.

11 In such a case, the instrument making the modification must contain a statement that—

a it is not reasonably practicable for the instrument to be signed by the Secretary of State, and

b the Secretary of State has personally and expressly authorised the making of the modification.

12 Despite section 136(2), the modification of a bulk interception warrant as mentioned in subsection (2)(b) above does not prevent the warrant from being a bulk interception warrant.

13 Nothing in this section applies in relation to modifying the provisions of a warrant in a way which does not affect the conduct authorised or required by it.

^I533146 Approval of major modifications by Judicial Commissioners¶

1 In deciding whether to approve a decision to make a major modification of a bulk interception warrant, a Judicial Commissioner must review the Secretary of State's conclusions as to whether the modification is necessary on any of the grounds on which the Secretary of State considers the warrant to be necessary.

2 In doing so, the Judicial Commissioner must—

a apply the same principles as would be applied by a court on an application for judicial review, and

b consider the matter referred to in subsection (1) with a sufficient degree of care as to ensure that the Judicial Commissioner complies with the duties imposed by section 2 (general duties in relation to privacy).

3 Where a Judicial Commissioner refuses to approve a decision to make a major modification under section 145, the Judicial Commissioner must give the Secretary of State written reasons for the refusal.

4 Where a Judicial Commissioner, other than the Investigatory Powers Commissioner, refuses to approve a decision to make a major modification under section 145, the Secretary of State may ask the Investigatory Powers Commissioner to decide whether to approve the decision to make the modification.

^I392147 Approval of major modifications made in urgent cases¶

1 This section applies where—

a the Secretary of State makes a major modification of a bulk interception warrant without the approval of a Judicial Commissioner, and

b the Secretary of State considered that there was an urgent need to make the modification.

2 The Secretary of State must inform a Judicial Commissioner that the modification has been made.

3 The Judicial Commissioner must, before the end of the relevant period—

a decide whether to approve the decision to make the modification, and

b notify the Secretary of State of the Judicial Commissioner's decision.

“The relevant period” means the period ending with the third working day after the day on which the modification was made.

4 If the Judicial Commissioner refuses to approve the decision to make the modification—

a the warrant (unless it no longer has effect) has effect as if the modification had not been made, and

and section 146(4) does not apply in relation to the refusal to approve the decision.

5 Nothing in this section affects the lawfulness of—

a anything done under the warrant by virtue of the modification before the modification ceases to have effect;

b if anything is in the process of being done under the warrant by virtue of the modification when the modification ceases to have effect—

i anything done before that thing could be stopped, or

ii anything done which it is not reasonably practicable to stop.

^I634148 Cancellation of warrants¶

1 The Secretary of State, or a senior official acting on behalf of the Secretary of State, may cancel a bulk interception warrant at any time.

2 If the Secretary of State, or a senior official acting on behalf of the Secretary of State, considers that any of the cancellation conditions are met in relation to a bulk interception warrant, the person must cancel the warrant.

3 The cancellation conditions are—

a that the warrant is no longer necessary in the interests of national security;

b that the conduct authorised by the warrant is no longer proportionate to what is sought to be achieved by that conduct;

c that the examination of intercepted content or secondary data obtained under the warrant is no longer necessary for any of the specified operational purposes (see section 142).

4 But the condition in subsection (3)(a) does not apply where the warrant has been modified so that it no longer authorises or requires the interception of communications or the obtaining of secondary data.

6 A warrant that has been cancelled under this section may not be renewed.

Implementation of warrants¶

^I300149 Implementation of warrants¶

1 In giving effect to a bulk interception warrant, the person to whom it is addressed (“the implementing authority”) may (in addition to acting alone) act through, or together with, such other persons as the implementing authority may require (whether under subsection (2) or otherwise) to provide the authority with assistance in giving effect to the warrant.

2 For the purpose of requiring any person to provide assistance in relation to a bulk interception warrant, the implementing authority may—

a serve a copy of the warrant on any person who the implementing authority considers may be able to provide such assistance, or

b make arrangements for the service of a copy of the warrant on any such person.

4 For the purposes of this Act, the provision of assistance in giving effect to a bulk interception warrant includes any disclosure to the implementing authority, or to persons acting on behalf of the implementing authority, of anything obtained under the warrant.

5 Sections 42 (service of warrants) and 43 (duty of operators to assist with implementation) apply in relation to a bulk interception warrant as they apply in relation to a targeted interception warrant.

6 References in this section (and in sections 42 and 43 as they apply in relation to bulk interception warrants) to the service of a copy of a warrant include—

a the service of a copy of one or more schedules contained in the warrant with the omission of the remainder of the warrant, and

b the service of a copy of the warrant with the omission of any schedule contained in the warrant.

Restrictions on use or disclosure of material obtained under warrants etc.¶

^I416150 Safeguards relating to retention and disclosure of material¶

1 The Secretary of State must ensure, in relation to every bulk interception warrant, that arrangements are in force for securing—

a that the requirements of subsections (2) and (5) are met in relation to the material obtained under the warrant, and

b that the requirements of section 152 are met in relation to the intercepted content or secondary data obtained under the warrant.

This is subject to subsection (8).

a the number of persons to whom any of the material is disclosed or otherwise made available;

b the extent to which any of the material is disclosed or otherwise made available;

c the extent to which any of the material is copied;

d the number of copies that are made.

3 For the purposes of subsection (2) something is necessary for the authorised purposes if, and only if—

a it is, or is likely to become, necessary in the interests of national security or on any other grounds falling within section 138(2),

b it is necessary for facilitating the carrying out of any functions under this Act of the Secretary of State, the Scottish Ministers or the head of the intelligence service to whom the warrant is or was addressed,

c it is necessary for facilitating the carrying out of any functions of the Judicial Commissioners or the Investigatory Powers Tribunal under or in relation to this Act,

e it is necessary for the performance of any duty imposed on any person by the Public Records Act 1958 or the Public Records Act (Northern Ireland) 1923.

6 For the purposes of subsection (5), there are no longer any relevant grounds for retaining a copy of any material if, and only if—

a its retention is not necessary, or not likely to become necessary, in the interests of national security or on any other grounds falling within section 138(2), and

b its retention is not necessary for any of the purposes mentioned in paragraphs (b) to (e) of subsection (3) above.

7 Subsection (8) applies if—

a any material obtained under the warrant has been handed over to any overseas authorities, or

b a copy of any such material has been given to any overseas authorities.

8 To the extent that the requirements of subsections (2) and (5) and section 152 relate to any of the material mentioned in subsection (7)(a), or to the copy mentioned in subsection (7)(b), the arrangements made for the purposes of this section are not required to secure that those requirements are met (see instead section 151).

9 In this section—

“copy”, in relation to material obtained under a warrant, means any of the following (whether or not in documentary form)—
1. any copy, extract or summary of the material which identifies the material as having been obtained under the warrant, and
2. any record which—
  1. refers to any interception or to the obtaining of any material, and
  2. is a record of the identities of the persons to or by whom the material was sent, or to whom the material relates,
and “copied” is to be read accordingly;
“overseas authorities” means authorities of a country or territory outside the United Kingdom.

^I607151 Safeguards relating to disclosure of material overseas¶

1 The Secretary of State must ensure, in relation to every bulk interception warrant, that arrangements are in force for securing that—

a any material obtained under the warrant is handed over to overseas authorities only if the requirements of subsection (2) are met, and

b copies of any such material are given to overseas authorities only if those requirements are met.

2 The requirements of this subsection are met in the case of a warrant if it appears to the Secretary of State—

a that requirements corresponding to the requirements of section 150(2) and (5) and section 152 will apply, to such extent (if any) as the Secretary of State considers appropriate, in relation to any of the material which is handed over, or any copy of which is given, to the authorities in question, and

b that restrictions are in force which would prevent, to such extent (if any) as the Secretary of State considers appropriate, the doing of anything in, for the purposes of or in connection with any proceedings outside the United Kingdom which would result in a prohibited disclosure.

3 In subsection (2)(b) “prohibited disclosure” means a disclosure which, if made in the United Kingdom, would breach the prohibition in section 56(1) (see section 156).

4 In this section—

“copy” has the same meaning as in section 150;
“overseas authorities” means authorities of a country or territory outside the United Kingdom.

^I400152 Safeguards relating to examination of material¶

1 For the purposes of section 150 the requirements of this section are met in relation to the intercepted content and secondary data obtained under a warrant if—

a the selection of any of the intercepted content or secondary data for examination is carried out only for the specified purposes (see subsection (2)),

b the selection of any of the intercepted content or secondary data for examination is necessary and proportionate in all the circumstances, and

c the selection of any of the intercepted content for examination meets any of the selection conditions (see subsection (3)).

2 The selection of intercepted content or secondary data for examination is carried out only for the specified purposes if the intercepted content or secondary data is selected for examination only so far as is necessary for the operational purposes specified in the warrant in accordance with section 142.In this subsection “specified in the warrant” means specified in the warrant at the time of the selection of the intercepted content or secondary data for examination.

3 The selection conditions referred to in subsection (1)(c) are—

a that the selection of the intercepted content for examination does not breach the prohibition in subsection (4);

b that the person to whom the warrant is addressed considers that the selection of the intercepted content for examination would not breach that prohibition;

c that the selection of the intercepted content for examination in breach of that prohibition is authorised by subsection (5);

d that the selection of the intercepted content for examination in breach of that prohibition is authorised by a targeted examination warrant issued under Chapter 1 of Part 2.

4 The prohibition referred to in subsection (3)(a) is that intercepted content may not at any time be selected for examination if—

a any criteria used for the selection of the intercepted content for examination are referable to an individual known to be in the British Islands at that time, and

b the purpose of using those criteria is to identify the content of communications sent by, or intended for, that individual.

It does not matter for the purposes of this subsection whether the identity of the individual is known.

5 The selection of intercepted content (“the relevant content”) for examination is authorised by this subsection if—

a criteria referable to an individual have been, or are being, used for the selection of intercepted content for examination in circumstances falling within subsection (3)(a) or (b),

b at any time it appears to the person to whom the warrant is addressed that there has been a relevant change of circumstances in relation to the individual (see subsection (6)) which would mean that the selection of the relevant content for examination would breach the prohibition in subsection (4),

c since that time, a written authorisation to examine the relevant content using those criteria has been given by a senior officer, and

d the selection of the relevant content for examination is made before the end of the permitted period (see subsection (7)).

6 For the purposes of subsection (5)(b) there is a relevant change of circumstances in relation to an individual if—

a the individual has entered the British Islands, or

b a belief by the person to whom the warrant is addressed that the individual was outside the British Islands was in fact mistaken.

7 In subsection (5)—

“senior officer”, in relation to a warrant addressed to the head of an intelligence service, means a member of the intelligence service who—
1. is a member of the Senior Civil Service or a member of the Senior Management Structure of Her Majesty's Diplomatic Service, or
2. holds a position in the intelligence service of equivalent seniority to such a member;
“the permitted period” means the period ending with the fifth working day after the time mentioned in subsection (5)(b).

8 In a case where the selection of intercepted content for examination is authorised by subsection (5), the person to whom the warrant is addressed must notify the Secretary of State that the selection is being carried out.

^I342153 Additional safeguards for items subject to legal privilege¶

1 Subsection (2) applies if, in a case where intercepted content obtained under a bulk interception warrant is to be selected for examination—

a the selection of the intercepted content for examination meets any of the selection conditions in section 152(3)(a) to (c), and

b either—

i the purpose, or one of the purposes, of using the criteria to be used for the selection of the intercepted content for examination (“the relevant criteria”) is to identify any items subject to legal privilege, or

ii the use of the relevant criteria is likely to identify such items.

2 The intercepted content may be selected for examination using the relevant criteria only if a senior official acting on behalf of the Secretary of State has approved the use of those criteria.

3 In deciding whether to give an approval under subsection (2) in a case where subsection (1)(b)(i) applies, a senior official must have regard to the public interest in the confidentiality of items subject to legal privilege.

4 A senior official may give an approval under subsection (2) only if—

a the official considers that the arrangements made for the purposes of section 150 (safeguards relating to retention and disclosure of material) include specific arrangements for the handling, retention, use and destruction of items subject to legal privilege, and

b where subsection (1)(b)(i) applies, the official considers that there are exceptional and compelling circumstances that make it necessary to authorise the use of the relevant criteria.

5 For the purposes of subsection (4)(b), there cannot be exceptional and compelling circumstances that make it necessary to authorise the use of the relevant criteria unless—

a the public interest in obtaining the information that would be obtained by the selection of the intercepted content for examination outweighs the public interest in the confidentiality of items subject to legal privilege,

b there are no other means by which the information may reasonably be obtained, and

c obtaining the information is necessary in the interests of national security or for the purpose of preventing death or significant injury.

6 Subsection (7) applies if, in a case where intercepted content obtained under a bulk interception warrant is to be selected for examination—

a the selection of the intercepted content for examination meets any of the selection conditions in section 152(3)(a) to (c),

b the purpose, or one of the purposes, of using the criteria to be used for the selection of the intercepted content for examination (“the relevant criteria”) is to identify communications that, if they were not made with the intention of furthering a criminal purpose, would be items subject to legal privilege, and

c the person to whom the warrant is addressed considers that the communications (“the targeted communications”) are likely to be communications made with the intention of furthering a criminal purpose.

7 The intercepted content may be selected for examination using the relevant criteria only if a senior official acting on behalf of the Secretary of State has approved the use of those criteria.

8 A senior official may give an approval under subsection (7) only if the official considers that the targeted communications are likely to be communications made with the intention of furthering a criminal purpose.

9 Where an item subject to legal privilege which has been intercepted in accordance with a bulk interception warrant is retained following its examination, for purposes other than the destruction of the item, the person to whom the warrant is addressed must inform the Investigatory Powers Commissioner as soon as is reasonably practicable.(For provision about the grounds for retaining material obtained under a warrant, see section 150.)

10 Unless the Investigatory Powers Commissioner considers that subsection (12) applies to the item, the Commissioner must—

a direct that the item is destroyed, or

b impose one or more conditions as to the use or retention of that item.

11 If the Investigatory Powers Commissioner considers that subsection (12) applies to the item, the Commissioner may nevertheless impose such conditions under subsection (10)(b) as the Commissioner considers necessary for the purpose of protecting the public interest in the confidentiality of items subject to legal privilege.

12 This subsection applies to an item subject to legal privilege if—

a the public interest in retaining the item outweighs the public interest in the confidentiality of items subject to legal privilege, and

b retaining the item is necessary in the interests of national security or for the purpose of preventing death or significant injury.

13 The Investigatory Powers Commissioner—

a may require an affected party to make representations about how the Commissioner should exercise any function under subsection (10), and

b must have regard to any such representations made by an affected party (whether or not as a result of a requirement imposed under paragraph (a)).

14 Each of the following is an “affected party” for the purposes of subsection (13)—

a the Secretary of State;

b the person to whom the warrant is or was addressed.

154 Additional safeguards for confidential journalistic material etc¶

1 Subsection (2) applies if, in a case where intercepted content or secondary data obtained under a bulk interception warrant is to be selected for examination—

a the purpose, or one of the purposes, of using those criteria to be used for the selection of the intercepted content or secondary data for examination (“the relevant criteria”) is to identify any confidential journalistic material or to identify or confirm a source of journalistic information, or

b the use of the relevant criteria is highly likely to identify such material or identify or confirm such a source.

2 The intercepted content or secondary data may be selected for examination using the relevant criteria only if the use of those criteria has been approved by—

a the Investigatory Powers Commissioner; or

b in a case where a senior official acting on behalf of the Secretary of State considers there is an urgent need to do so, the senior official.

3 The Investigatory Powers Commissioner or a senior official may give an approval under subsection (2) only if the Commissioner or official considers that—

a the public interest in obtaining the information that would be obtained by the selection of the intercepted content or secondary data for examination outweighs the public interest in the confidentiality of confidential journalistic material or sources of journalistic information, and

b there are no less intrusive means by which the information may reasonably be obtained.

4 Subsection (5) applies where—

a intercepted content or secondary data obtained under a bulk interception warrant (“the relevant material”) is retained, following its examination, for purposes other than the destruction of the relevant material, and

b the person to whom the warrant is addressed considers that the relevant material contains confidential journalistic material or material that would identify or confirm a source of journalistic information.

5 The person to whom the warrant is addressed must inform the Investigatory Powers Commissioner of the retention of the relevant material as soon as reasonably practicable.

6 Unless the Investigatory Powers Commissioner considers that subsection (8) applies to the relevant material, the Commissioner must direct that the relevant material is destroyed.

7 If the Investigatory Powers Commissioner considers that subsection (8) applies to the relevant material, the Commissioner may impose such conditions as to the use or retention of the relevant material as the Commissioner considers necessary for the purpose of protecting the public interest in the confidentiality of confidential journalistic material or sources of journalistic information.

8 This subsection applies to material containing—

a confidential journalistic material, or

b material identifying or confirming a source of journalistic information,

if the public interest in retaining the material outweighs the public interest in the confidentiality of confidential journalistic material or sources of journalistic information.

9 The Investigatory Powers Commissioner—

a may require an affected party to make representations about how the Commissioner should exercise any function under subsections (6) and (7), and

b must have regard to any such representations made by an affected party (whether or not as a result of a requirement imposed under paragraph (a)).

10 “Affected party” has the meaning given by section 153(14).

(For provision about the grounds for retaining material obtained under a warrant, see section 150.)

154A Section 154: procedure where use of criteria approved by senior official¶

1 This section applies where intercepted content or secondary data is selected for examination using criteria the use of which was approved by a senior official under section 154(2).

2 The Secretary of State must, as soon as reasonably practicable, inform the Investigatory Powers Commissioner that the approval has been given.

3 The Investigatory Powers Commissioner must, as soon as reasonably practicable—

a consider whether the relevant condition is met as regards the use of the criteria for the selection of the intercepted content or secondary data for examination, and

b notify the Secretary of State of their decision.

4 For this purpose, “the relevant condition” is that—

b there are no less intrusive means by which the information may reasonably be obtained.

5 On the giving of a notification of a decision that the relevant condition is not met, the senior official’s approval ceases to have effect.

6 Nothing in subsection (5) affects the lawfulness of—

a anything done by virtue of the approval before it ceases to have effect, or

b if anything is in the process of being done by virtue of the approval when it ceases to have effect—

i anything done before that thing could be stopped, or

ii anything done which it is not reasonably practicable to stop.

^I355155 Offence of breaching safeguards relating to examination of material¶

1 A person commits an offence if—

a the person selects for examination any intercepted content or secondary data obtained under a bulk interception warrant,

b the person knows or believes that the selection of that intercepted content or secondary data for examination does not comply with a requirement imposed by section 152 or 153, and

c the person deliberately selects that intercepted content or secondary data for examination in breach of that requirement.

2 A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—

a on summary conviction in England and Wales—

i to imprisonment for a term not exceeding the general limit in a magistrates’ court (or 6 months, if the offence was committed before 2 May 2022), or

ii to a fine,

or to both;

b on summary conviction in Scotland—

i to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or

ii to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum,

or to both;

c on summary conviction in Northern Ireland—

i to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or

ii to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum,

or to both;

d on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to a fine, or to both.

3 No proceedings for any offence which is an offence by virtue of this section may be instituted—

a in England and Wales, except by or with the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions;

b in Northern Ireland, except by or with the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland.

^I58156 Application of other restrictions in relation to warrants¶

1 Section 56 and Schedule 3 (exclusion of matters from legal proceedings etc.) apply in relation to bulk interception warrants as they apply in relation to targeted interception warrants.

2 Sections 57 to 59 (duty not to make unauthorised disclosures) apply in relation to bulk interception warrants as they apply in relation to targeted interception warrants, but as if the reference in section 58(2)(c) to a requirement for disclosure imposed by virtue of section 41(5) were a reference to such a requirement imposed by virtue of section 149(4).

Interpretation¶

^I296157 Chapter 1: interpretation¶

1 In this Chapter—

“intercepted content”, in relation to a bulk interception warrant, means any content of communications intercepted by an interception authorised or required by the warrant;
“overseas-related communications” has the meaning given by section 136;
“secondary data” has the meaning given by section 137, and references to obtaining secondary data from a communication are to be read in accordance with that section;
“senior official” means a member of the Senior Civil Service or a member of the Senior Management Structure of Her Majesty's Diplomatic Service;
“the specified operational purposes” has the meaning given by section 142(11).

2 See also—

section 261 (telecommunications definitions),
section 263 (general definitions),
section 264 (general definitions: “journalistic material” etc.),
section 265 (index of defined expressions).

CHAPTER 2 Bulk acquisition warrants¶

Bulk acquisition warrants¶

^I126^I644158 Power to issue bulk acquisition warrants¶

1 The Secretary of State may, on an application made by or on behalf of the head of an intelligence service, issue a bulk acquisition warrant if—

a the Secretary of State considers that the warrant is necessary—

i in the interests of national security, or

ii on that ground and on any other grounds falling within subsection (2),

b the Secretary of State considers that the conduct authorised by the warrant is proportionate to what is sought to be achieved by that conduct,

c the Secretary of State considers that—

i each of the specified operational purposes (see section 161) is a purpose for which the examination of communications data obtained under the warrant is or may be necessary, and

ii the examination of such data for each such purpose is necessary on any of the grounds on which the Secretary of State considers the warrant to be necessary,

d the Secretary of State considers that satisfactory arrangements made for the purposes of section 171 (safeguards relating to the retention and disclosure of data) are in force in relation to the warrant, and

e the decision to issue the warrant has been approved by a Judicial Commissioner.

For the meaning of “head of an intelligence service”, see section 263.

2 A warrant is necessary on grounds falling within this subsection if it is necessary—

a for the purpose of preventing or detecting serious crime, or

b in the interests of the economic well-being of the United Kingdom so far as those interests are also relevant to the interests of national security (but see subsection (3)).

3 A warrant may be considered necessary on the ground falling within subsection (2)(b) only if the communications data which it is considered necessary to obtain is communications data relating to the acts or intentions of persons outside the British Islands.

4 The fact that the communications data which would be obtained under a warrant relates to the activities in the British Islands of a trade union is not, of itself, sufficient to establish that the warrant is necessary in the interests of national security or on that ground and a ground falling within subsection (2).

5 A bulk acquisition warrant is a warrant which authorises or requires the person to whom it is addressed to secure, by any conduct described in the warrant, any one or more of the activities in subsection (6).

6 The activities are—

a requiring a telecommunications operator specified in the warrant—

i to disclose to a person specified in the warrant any communications data which is specified in the warrant and is in the possession of the operator,

ii to obtain any communications data specified in the warrant which is not in the possession of the operator but which the operator is capable of obtaining, or

iii to disclose to a person specified in the warrant any data obtained as mentioned in sub-paragraph (ii),

b the selection for examination, in any manner described in the warrant, of communications data obtained under the warrant,

c the disclosure, in any manner described in the warrant, of communications data obtained under the warrant to the person to whom the warrant is addressed or to any person acting on that person's behalf.

7 A bulk acquisition warrant also authorises the following conduct (in addition to the conduct described in the warrant)—

a any conduct which it is necessary to undertake in order to do what is expressly authorised or required by the warrant, and

8 A bulk acquisition warrant may relate to data whether or not in existence at the time of the issuing of the warrant.

9 An application for the issue of a bulk acquisition warrant may only be made on behalf of the head of an intelligence service by a person holding office under the Crown.

^I513159 Approval of warrants by Judicial Commissioners¶

1 In deciding whether to approve a decision to issue a warrant under section 158, a Judicial Commissioner must review the Secretary of State's conclusions as to the following matters—

a whether the warrant is necessary as mentioned in subsection (1)(a) of that section,

b whether the conduct that would be authorised by the warrant is proportionate to what is sought to be achieved by that conduct, and

c whether—

i each of the specified operational purposes (see section 161) is a purpose for which the examination of communications data obtained under the warrant is or may be necessary, and

ii the examination of such data for each such purpose is necessary as mentioned in section 158(1)(c)(ii).

2 In doing so, the Judicial Commissioner must—

a apply the same principles as would be applied by a court on an application for judicial review, and

3 Where a Judicial Commissioner refuses to approve a decision to issue a warrant under section 158, the Judicial Commissioner must give the Secretary of State written reasons for the refusal.

4 Where a Judicial Commissioner, other than the Investigatory Powers Commissioner, refuses to approve a decision to issue a warrant under section 158, the Secretary of State may ask the Investigatory Powers Commissioner to decide whether to approve the decision to issue the warrant.

^I631160 Decisions to issue warrants to be taken personally by Secretary of State¶

1 The decision to issue a bulk acquisition warrant must be taken personally by the Secretary of State.

2 Before a bulk acquisition warrant is issued, it must be signed by the Secretary of State.

^I503161 Requirements that must be met by warrants¶

1 A bulk acquisition warrant must contain a provision stating that it is a bulk acquisition warrant.

2 A bulk acquisition warrant must be addressed to the head of the intelligence service by whom, or on whose behalf, the application for the warrant was made.

3 A bulk acquisition warrant must specify the operational purposes for which any communications data obtained under the warrant may be selected for examination.

4 The operational purposes specified in the warrant must be ones specified, in a list maintained by the heads of the intelligence services (“the list of operational purposes”), as purposes which they consider are operational purposes for which communications data obtained under bulk acquisition warrants may be selected for examination.

5 The warrant may, in particular, specify all of the operational purposes which, at the time the warrant is issued, are specified in the list of operational purposes.

6 An operational purpose may be specified in the list of operational purposes only with the approval of the Secretary of State.

7 The Secretary of State may give such approval only if satisfied that the operational purpose is specified in a greater level of detail than the descriptions contained in section 158(1)(a) or (2).

8 At the end of each relevant three-month period the Secretary of State must give a copy of the list of operational purposes to the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament.

9 In subsection (8) “relevant three-month period” means—

a the period of three months beginning with the day on which this section comes into force, and

b each successive period of three months.

10 The Prime Minister must review the list of operational purposes at least once a year.

11 In this Chapter “the specified operational purposes”, in relation to a bulk acquisition warrant, means the operational purposes specified in the warrant in accordance with this section.

Duration, modification and cancellation of warrants¶

^I376162 Duration of warrants¶

1 A bulk acquisition warrant (unless already cancelled) ceases to have effect at the end of the period of 6 months beginning with—

a the day on which the warrant was issued, or

b in the case of a warrant that has been renewed, the day after the day at the end of which the warrant would have ceased to have effect if it had not been renewed.

2 For provision about the renewal of warrants, see section 163.

^I627163 Renewal of warrants¶

1 If the renewal conditions are met, a bulk acquisition warrant may be renewed, at any time during the renewal period, by an instrument issued by the Secretary of State.This is subject to subsection (6).

2 The renewal conditions are—

a that the Secretary of State considers that the warrant continues to be necessary—

i in the interests of national security, or

ii on that ground and on any other grounds falling within section 158(2),

b that the Secretary of State considers that the conduct that would be authorised by the renewed warrant continues to be proportionate to what is sought to be achieved by that conduct,

c that the Secretary of State considers that—

i each of the specified operational purposes (see section 161) is a purpose for which the examination of communications data obtained under the warrant continues to be, or may be, necessary, and

ii the examination of such data for each such purpose continues to be necessary on any of the grounds on which the Secretary of State considers that the warrant continues to be necessary, and

d that the decision to renew the warrant has been approved by a Judicial Commissioner.

3 “The renewal period” means the period of 30 days ending with the day at the end of which the warrant would otherwise cease to have effect.

4 The decision to renew a bulk acquisition warrant must be taken personally by the Secretary of State, and the instrument renewing the warrant must be signed by the Secretary of State.

5 Section 159 (approval of warrants by Judicial Commissioners) applies in relation to a decision to renew a bulk acquisition warrant as it applies in relation to a decision to issue a bulk acquisition warrant.This is subject to subsection (6).

6 In the case of the renewal of a bulk acquisition warrant that has been modified so that it no longer authorises or requires the carrying out of activities falling within section 158(6)(a)—

a the renewal condition in subsection (2)(a) is to be disregarded,

c section 159 has effect as if—

i paragraph (a) of subsection (1) were omitted, and

ii the reference in subsection (1)(c)(ii) to the grounds on which the Secretary of State considers the warrant to be necessary were a reference to any grounds falling within section 158(1)(a) or (2).

^I112164 Modification of warrants¶

1 The provisions of a bulk acquisition warrant may be modified at any time by an instrument issued by the person making the modification.

2 The only modifications that may be made under this section are—

a adding, varying or removing any operational purpose specified in the warrant as a purpose for which any communications data obtained under the warrant may be selected for examination, and

b providing that the warrant no longer authorises or requires the carrying out of activities falling within section 158(6)(a).

3 In this section—

a a modification adding or varying any operational purpose as mentioned in paragraph (a) of subsection (2) is referred to as a “major modification”, and

b any other modification within that subsection is referred to as a “minor modification”.

4 A major modification—

a must be made by the Secretary of State, and

b may be made only if the Secretary of State considers that it is necessary on any of the grounds on which the Secretary of State considers the warrant to be necessary (see section 158(1)(a)).

6 A minor modification may be made by—

a the Secretary of State, or

b a senior official acting on behalf of the Secretary of State.

7 Where a minor modification is made by a senior official, the Secretary of State must be notified personally of the modification and the reasons for making it.

8 If at any time a person mentioned in subsection (6) considers that any operational purpose specified in a warrant is no longer a purpose for which the examination of communications data obtained under the warrant is or may be necessary, the person must modify the warrant by removing that operational purpose.

11 In such a case, the instrument making the modification must contain a statement that—

a it is not reasonably practicable for the instrument to be signed by the Secretary of State, and

b the Secretary of State has personally and expressly authorised the making of the modification.

12 Nothing in this section applies in relation to modifying the provisions of a warrant in a way which does not affect the conduct authorised or required by it.

^I569165 Approval of major modifications by Judicial Commissioners¶

1 In deciding whether to approve a decision to make a major modification of a bulk acquisition warrant, a Judicial Commissioner must review the Secretary of State's conclusions as to whether the modification is necessary on any of the grounds on which the Secretary of State considers the warrant to be necessary.

2 In doing so, the Judicial Commissioner must—

a apply the same principles as would be applied by a court on an application for judicial review, and

3 Where a Judicial Commissioner refuses to approve a decision to make a major modification under section 164, the Judicial Commissioner must give the Secretary of State written reasons for the refusal.

4 Where a Judicial Commissioner, other than the Investigatory Powers Commissioner, refuses to approve a decision to make a major modification under section 164, the Secretary of State may ask the Investigatory Powers Commissioner to decide whether to approve the decision to make the modification.

^I224166 Approval of major modifications made in urgent cases¶

1 This section applies where—

a the Secretary of State makes a major modification of a bulk acquisition warrant without the approval of a Judicial Commissioner, and