Part 3Authorisations for obtaining communications data
Additional protections
I176Use of a single point of contact
F1A1
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 F2under 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
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 F5(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.