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Investigatory Powers Act 2016, Section 174 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 17 August 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.
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(1)It is an offence for—
(a)a telecommunications operator who is under a duty by virtue of section 170 to assist in giving effect to a bulk acquisition warrant, or
(b)any person employed or engaged for the purposes of the business of such an operator,
to disclose to any person, without reasonable excuse, the existence or contents of the warrant.
(2)For the purposes of subsection (1), it is, in particular, a reasonable excuse if the disclosure is made with the permission of the Secretary of State.
(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 12 months (or 6 months, if the offence was committed before the commencement of section 154(1) of the Criminal Justice Act 2003), 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.
Commencement Information
I1S. 174 in force at 22.8.2018 by S.I. 2018/873, reg. 3(b)
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