These Regulations amend two provisions of the Telecommunications (Data Protection and Privacy) Regulations 1999, made in implementation of Directive 97/66/EC on personal data and privacy in the telecommunications sector (O.J. No. L24, 30.1.98, p.1).

In regulation 2 of the principal Regulations, which provides for their interpretation, the specific provision in paragraph (4) about the meaning of a telecommunications “line” is expressly subordinated to the general provision in paragraph (3) that expressions in the Regulations are to be interpreted in the same way as in the Directive.

Provision is inserted into regulation 32 of the principal Regulations for rules relating to the procedure of the Data Protection Tribunal in exercise of its functions under the principal Regulations to be made in the same way as rules for that Tribunal under the Data Protection Act 1998 (that is, by statutory instrument subject to annulment by resolution of either House of Parliament).