Case study A9/8
MI5
Understand
Counter-terrorism
In late 2015 MI5 learned that a foreign national associated with ISIL had visited the UK
for a period of time. Analysis of bulk acquisition data identified a previously unknown
telephone used by the individual and enabled MI5 to learn more about his activity and
contacts in the UK. This knowledge helped MI5 to understand the purpose of his travel
and whether he had been involved in attack planning. MI5 was then able rapidly to refocus investigative resource and to prioritise investigations. The Review team was shown
material indicating that this work led to the disruption of activities of UK-based
extremists. MI5 believes that without bulk acquisition data it is unlikely that the same
result could have been achieved; if it could, it would certainly have taken longer. The
individual in question is now awaiting trial in another country for terrorist offences.
Case study A9/9
MI5
Understand
Counter-terrorism
MI5 has used bulk acquisition data to understand more about Syria-linked attack
planning in Europe and the UK. This work includes the analysis of bulk acquisition data
to identify UK-based individuals with links to ISIL associates based overseas. MI5 has
been able to use this information to manage the potential threats. The Review team was
given details which indicated that without bulk acquisition data it would not have been
possible to identify the individuals so quickly or with the same degree of certainty, and it
would have taken vastly greater resources; it is likely that MI5 would have had to take a
number of specialist data analysts and investigators away from other high priority work in
order to deploy a range of targeted techniques. These specialists would then have had to
analyse and assess the more fragmented intelligence which would probably have been
obtained as a result.
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