The Definition of the Regulatory Investigatory Powers Act.
There are many instances where other Surveillance Agencies claim to act within RIPA guidelines when they have no real understanding of the responsibilities or governance.
The DirectGov website states that “RIPA is the law governing the use of covert techniques by public authorities.” Public authorities are deemed as Government and Police Departments. The website goes on to explain…
It requires that when public authorities – such as the police or government departments – need to use covert techniques to obtain private information about someone, they do it in a way that is necessary, proportionate, and compatible with human rights.
When RIPA applies
RIPA applies to a wide-range of investigations in which private information might be obtained.
Cases in which it applies include:
Terrorism
Crime
Public Safety
Emergency Services
What RIPA does
RIPA’s guidelines and codes apply to actions such as:
- intercepting communications, such as the content of telephone calls, emails or letters
- acquiring communications data – the ‘who, when and where’ of communications, such as a telephone billing or subscriber details
- conducting covert surveillance, either in private premises or vehicles (intrusive surveillance) or in public places (directed surveillance)
- the use of covert human intelligence sources, such as informants or undercover officers
- access to electronic data protected by encryption or passwords
Other useful RIPA resources are detailed below:
RIPA Codes of Practice
RIPA Application Forms
RIPA Code of Practice for the Interception of Communications
RIPA Code of Practice for the Acquisition and Disclosure of Communications Data
RIPA Code of Practice for covert surveillance and property interference
RIPA Code of Practice for the Use of Human Intelligence Sources