The Investigatory Powers (Codes of Practice) Regulations 2018

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations bring into force five codes of practice issued under paragraph 1(1) of Schedule 7 to the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (c. 25) (“the Act”). The codes of practice come into force on the day on which these Regulations come into force.

The code of practice entitled “Bulk Acquisition of Communications Data” is about the exercise of functions conferred by Chapter 2 of Part 6 of the Act. The code of practice entitled “Equipment Interference” is about the exercise of functions conferred by Part 5 and Chapter 3 of Part 6 of the Act. The code of practice entitled “Interception of Communications” is about the exercise of functions conferred by Part 2 and Chapter 1 of Part 6 of the Act. The code of practice entitled “National Security Notices” is about the exercise of functions relating to national security notices, which may be given under section 252 of the Act. The code of practice entitled “Intelligence Services’ Retention and Use of Bulk Personal Datasets” is about the exercise of functions conferred by Part 7 of the Act.

The codes of practice will be published by the Stationery Office and copies may be obtained from the Stationery Office bookshops or online shop. The codes of practice will also be available on the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 codes of practice pages on the gov.uk website.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sectors is foreseen.