Summary and Background
3.The main purpose of the Act is to ensure that the relevant investigatory powers are used in accordance with human rights. These powers are:
the interception of communications;
the acquisition of communications data (eg billing data);
intrusive surveillance (on residential premises/in private vehicles);
covert surveillance in the course of specific operations;
the use of covert human intelligence sources (agents, informants, undercover officers);
access to encrypted data.
4.For each of these powers, the Act will ensure that the law clearly covers:
the purposes for which they may be used;
which authorities can use the powers;
who should authorise each use of the power;
the use that can be made of the material gained;
independent judicial oversight;
a means of redress for the individual.
5.Not all of these matters need be dealt with in this Act – in many cases existing legislation already covers the ground. The Act will work in conjunction with existing legislation, in particular the Intelligence Services Act 1994, the Police Act 1997 and the Human Rights Act 1998.
