Investigatory Powers Commissioner ’s Annual Report 2019
Annex D: Communications Data
This annex details the use of communications data (CD) in 2019. The below tables give the number
of applications made in relation to sensitive professions, the total number of applications submitted
to OCDA, and a breakdown of applications from each agency.
Sensitive professions
In 2019, 50 law enforcement and public authorities applied for CD in relation to individuals of
sensitive professions69 (see also chapter 3).
Profession
Lawyer
309
Journalist
116
Journalistic Source
15
Member of Parliament
138
Minister of Religion
135
Medical Doctor
300
Total
1,013
Applications submitted to OCDA
All non-urgent CD requests, other than those relating to journalists and those made by the
UK’s Intelligence Community (UKIC) are considered by the Office for Communications Data
Authorisations (OCDA), who decides whether to approve the request. The below table breaks down
the applications considered by OCDA from 26 April, when OCDA first accepted applications, up until
31 December 2019.
Total Applications received by OCDA
71,610
Decisions made
71,208
Authorised
63,688
Not authorised
Withdrawn
Applications with no decision (e.g. pending as at 31 December 2019)
7,520
385
17
69 Note that this records all cases where the individual subject to the request is believed to hold a sensitive
profession and does not reflect the intention to obtain sensitive material, or likelihood that sensitive
material will be obtained.
161