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IPCO Annual Report 2018
18. Statistics
Overview
18.1
The Investigatory Powers Commissioner’s Office (IPCO) collects a wide range of statistics
on the use of investigatory powers, including those under the Investigatory Powers Act
2016 (IPA). These statistics help to inform our understanding of how those powers are
being used and allow us to track the use of powers year on year. It is worth noting that
changes in legislation and policy over the years necessitate the analysis of these statistics in
combination with additional details about the use of powers, such as the way that different
covert tactics, and operational activities, are authorised. The sensitivity of this work makes
it impossible to publish the statistics we hold in full. Additionally, we believe that publishing
some statistics would be unhelpful and, at times, misleading.
18.2
Section 234 of the IPA requests the publication of key statistics, including the number
of warrants and authorisations issued, given, considered and approved during the
year. In line with this requirement, this report includes the number of warrants and
authorisations issued under the IPA, the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA),
the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Scotland) Act 2000 (RIP(S)A), the Intelligence
Services Act 1994 (ISA) and the Police Act 1997, and will include approvals given, such
as the approval to retain and examine confidential or legal professional privilege (LPP)
material. It is essential to note that these figures relate to a period of transition as the
authorisation process for existing activities was implemented. For example, bulk personal
dataset (BPD) holdings were not comprehensively authorised under the IPA from the date
of implementation but were brought under the authorisation regime across a transition
period. For this year, therefore, the statistics below will not necessarily reflect the totality
of covert activity in some areas and it may be several years before full comparisons can be
drawn.
Total number of applications made in 2018
18.3
The table below gives a total number of applications granted for the powers
overseen by IPCO.
18.4
We have included details of the number of applications considered by the Judicial
Commissioners (JCs) for those powers where the double lock has been introduced solely
under the Act. We have not, however, included these figures for those powers where
there has been a transition from a previous warrantry regime; for example, the targeted
interception figures therefore do not include the number of authorisations considered by
the JCs as we believe that this would be misleading. However, we intend that this will be
included in future years when all applications are made and considered under the IPA.