Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (c. 25)

Part 2 U.K. Lawful interception of communications

CHAPTER 2 U.K. Other forms of lawful interception

Interception for administrative or enforcement purposes U.K.

45 Interception by providers of postal or telecommunications services U.K.

(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.

Commencement Information

I1 S. 45 in force at 27.6.2018 by S.I. 2018/652, reg. 8(p)