Monetary penalty notices for certain unlawful interceptions of communications
2.—(1) After section 1(1) of the 2000 Act (unlawful interception of communications) insert—
“(1A) The Interception of Communications Commissioner may serve a monetary penalty notice on a person if the Commissioner—
(a)considers that the person—
(i)has without lawful authority intercepted, at any place in the United Kingdom, any communication in the course of its transmission by means of a public telecommunication system, and
(ii)was not, at the time of the interception, making an attempt to act in accordance with an interception warrant which might, in the opinion of the Commissioner, explain the interception concerned, and
(b)does not consider that the person has committed an offence under subsection (1).
(1B) Schedule A1 (which makes further provision about monetary penalty notices) has effect.”
(2) In section 71(2) of the 2000 Act (issue and revision by the Secretary of State of codes of practice) after “subordinate legislation” insert “and subject to subsection (10)”.
(3) After section 71(9) of the 2000 Act insert—
“(10) A code of practice under this section may not relate to any matter which is to be dealt with by guidance of the Interception of Communications Commissioner by virtue of paragraph 7 of Schedule A1.”
(4) Before Schedule 1 to the 2000 Act insert the Schedule set out in the Schedule to these Regulations.