2012 Annual Report of the Interception of Communications Commissioner
such errors recurring. My inspectors and I also investigate the circumstances of any errors and
work with the public authorities and CSPs concerned to review their systems and processes
where necessary. I am satisfied that when issues of compliance arise during inspections these are
promptly corrected and I am impressed with the dedication and willingness of staff to implement
any recommendations arising from their inspections.
As I said at the beginning of this report, much has changed in the world of communications
since I began as Commissioner in 2006. The technology continues to evolve, and sophisticated
criminals and terrorists are quick to make use of the latest developments, so those who seek
to prevent acts of terrorism and to investigate serious crime need to have the resources they
require to be effective.They should not be hampered by legislation enacted at a time when much
of what is now taken for granted had not even been heard of. As a nation we have enormous
advantages, including in particular the integrity of those who work in our security services and
law enforcement agencies, and we need to listen to them, especially when they say that changes
need to be made to try to retain our present capacity. That is not to say that RIPA is completely
out of date. In many ways it has weathered well, and the system of oversight which it laid down
has been, I believe, effective, but if changes need to be made in order to retain capacity they
should not be resisted. I also believe that it is important for independent oversight to remain as
a key component of any future legislation.
Finally, I would like to restate, as in previous years, that my work would not have been possible
without the secretariat and inspectors who worked with me. I also extend my thanks to Sir
Mark Waller, the Intelligence Services Commissioner and members of the Investigatory Powers
Tribunal.
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