Interception of communications and equipment interference: draft codes of practice
Read the full outcome
Detail of outcome
Following the publication of the draft codes on 6 February 2015, 135 replies were received. This document provides a summary of the main responses and comments that informed revisions to the draft equipment interference code of practice and interception of communications code of practice. Following parliamentary scrutiny we have now published the final equipment interference code of practice and interception of communications code of practice.
Original consultation
Consultation description
This is a consultation on 2 draft codes of practice pursuant to section 71 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA).
The first is an updated interception of communications code of practice. This includes new details about the operation of the regime for the interception under RIPA of communications sent or received from outside the UK. It also includes further information about the safeguards for the interception of legally privileged communications and minor changes to reflect developments in the law since the code was first introduced in 2002.
The second is a new equipment interference code of practice. This explains the circumstances and procedures that must be followed before the Security and Intelligence Agencies can interfere with electronic equipment, such as computers, and the rules that must apply to the processing, retention, destruction and disclosure of any information obtained by means of the interference.
The purpose of the codes is to make publicly available more information about the robust safeguards that apply to the police and the security and intelligence agencies in their use of investigatory powers.
The consultation seeks representations on the content of the draft codes of practice.
How to respond
This consultation runs for 6 weeks from 6 February until 20 March 2015.
Enquiries and responses should be sent to:
Please indicate in your response whether you are content for it to be published, with or without attributing it to you/your organisation.
Documents
Updates to this page
Published 6 February 2015Last updated 28 January 2016 + show all updates
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Final versions of codes of practice published.
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Final outcome published.
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First published.