2012 Annual Report of the Interception of Communications Commissioner
Figure 1 – RIPA Summary Box
Which What is the When can this power
section Power?
be used?
of
RIPA?
Who can use the
power?
Pt. 1
Chapter
1
Intelligence Services:
Interception of a
communication
(i.e. Phone
call, email, text
message, letter)
In the interests of national
security.
Prevention or detection of
serious crime.
Safeguarding the economic
well-being of the UK.
Who
authorises
use of this
power?
Any of the
Secretaries of
–– Government
State, but in
Communications
practice the
Headquarters (GCHQ) Secretary with
–– Security Service (MI5) responsibility
for the
–– Secret Intelligence
investigating
Service (SIS)
body will sign
their respective
Serious Organised Crime
warrants.
Agency (SOCA).
Who
oversees the
responsible
use of
power?
Oversight
conducted by the
Interception of
Communications
Commissioner.
Scottish Crime and Drugs
Enforcement Agency (SCDEA).
Metropolitan Police (Met).
Police Service for Northern
Ireland (PSNI).
Scottish Police forces.
Her Majesty’s Revenue and
Customs (HMRC).
Ministry of Defence (MoD)
Defence Intelligence Staff
(DIS).
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