CASE STUDIES
BULK EQUIPMENT INTERFERENCE
The SIAs have not yet undertaken any work involving the use of bulk equipment
interference. GCHQ provided two case studies demonstrating the use of EI under the
Intelligence Services Act; the equivalent use under the proposed legislation would be
targeted thematic equipment interference. GCHQ explained that, in different
circumstances, bulk equipment interference might be needed to achieve the same
results.
The Operational Case included three hypothetical case studies, giving examples of
situations in which the SIAs would wish to use bulk equipment interference. These case
studies are set out below.
In addition, the Operational Case contained two hypothetical scenarios to demonstrate
the difference between the circumstances in which targeted thematic EI would be
appropriate, and bulk EI. These scenarios have been reproduced at the end of this
Annex.
Case study A10/1
GCHQ
Bulk interception/targeted thematic EI
Identify/target discovery and development270
Counter-terrorism
Several hundred British extremists have travelled to Syria to join ISIL and many of these
are actively involved in planning attacks against the UK and its allies. The UK cannot
work co-operatively with the Syrian government to identify and disrupt these attack
plans. In many cases it is extremely dangerous for a human source to go into ISIL
territory.
This operation involved the identification of previously unknown Islamist extremists and
also the identification of new phones or other devices used by known extremists who are
based in Syria and who pose a threat to the UK and its international partners.
Intelligence from sources including bulk interception identified a location in Syria used by
extremists. However the widespread use of anonymisation and encryption prevented
GCHQ from identifying specific individuals and their communications through bulk
interception. GCHQ then used EI under an ISA authorisation (under the Bill this would be
270
In each case study I have highlighted the nature of the principal work involved, by reference to
the SIAs’ Structured Description of Intelligence Work (Annex 4).
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