2013 Annual Report of the Interception of Communications Commissioner
Statistics for Communications Data
4.14 Figure 4 shows the number of authorisations and notices for communications
data over the previous three years (excluding urgent oral applications). The total number
approved in 2013 was 514,608.
Figure 4 Total Notices & Authorisations under RIPA 2000 Part I Chapter II 2011-13
(excluding urgent oral)
600,000
570,135
500,000
514,608
494,078
400,000
300,000
200,000
100,000
0
2011
2012
2013
4.15 The urgent oral process is used to acquire communications data where there is
no time to complete the normal written process. For example, in circumstances where
there is an immediate threat to life, an urgent operational requirement relating to serious
crime or a credible threat to national security. In 2013 there were 42,293 notices and
authorisations given orally.
4.16 It is not presently possible to report the number of individuals to which the
514,608 notices and authorisations relate, but that number would be much smaller.
Public authorities often make multiple requests for communications data in the course
of a single investigation, but also make multiple requests for communications data in
relation to the same individual.
4.17 Figure 5 shows the breakdown of notices and authorisations by type of data
under section 21(4). Over half of the requirements were for subscriber information under
section 21(4)(c). The breakdown is much the same as for 2012.
4.18 My predecessor referred to the inadequacy of the statistical requirements in
the Acquisition and Disclosure of Communications Data Code of Practice in his 2012
annual report. The requirement is contained in Paragraph 6.5 of the Code of Practice, but
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