Outside of the security and intelligence agencies such as GCHQ, around 600 public authorities hold the power to request communications data. In his 2015 report, the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation, David Anderson QC, distinguished between “major” law enforcement agencies, including police forces – who make the great majority of requests for…
The government appointed Sir Nigel Sheinwald as the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy on Intelligence and Law Enforcement Data Sharing in September 2014. His role was created to work with foreign governments and US communication service providers (CSPs) to improve access to data across different jurisdictions for intelligence and law enforcement…
The Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament is a committee of Parliament designed to oversee the intelligence and security activities of the Security Service, the Secret Intelligence Service and GCHQ. It was established in the Justice and Security Act 2013; prior to this the committee was established by the Intelligence…
The UK’s Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), alleged by Edward Snowden to be undertaking mass surveillance of online activities, operates under the Intelligence Services Act 1994. GCHQ’s first statutory function is “to monitor or interfere with electromagnetic, acoustic and other emissions and any equipment producing such emissions and to obtain and provide…
The Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation is appointed by the Secretary of State under section 36(1) of the Terrorism Act 2006. The current Independent Reviewer, David Anderson QC, recently conducted a review of the “operation and regulation of investigatory powers” as required by DRIPA. The review was published in 11th June 2015…
The Intelligence Services Commissioner is a post provided for by RIPA to oversee the use of RIPA powers. The Commissioner should hold or have held high judicial office, and is appointed by the Prime Minister. The position is part-time, with a part-time secretary. To conduct the oversight function, the Commissioner has the power…
The Interception of Communications Commissioner is a post provided for by RIPA to oversee the use of RIPA interception powers. The Commissioner should hold or have held high judicial office, and is appointed by the Prime Minister. The Commissioner has nine inspectors to oversee the use of communications data and prison interception,…
The Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT), established by RIPA, has exclusive jurisdiction to hear complaints about the intelligence agencies or interception (ss.65-70). However, since individuals are not automatically notified they have been the subject of interception or other surveillance, they have limited opportunity to contest it at the Tribunal. The IPT is…
