Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (2000)

Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (2000)

The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act basically allows people with the correct clearance to carry out surveillance and potential investigation. On top of that said person's can carry out interception of communications.

These are the main points of the legislation: 

      Authorization of directed surveillance.

(1)    Subject to the following provisions of this Part, the persons designated for the purposes of this section shall each         have power to grant authorizations for the carrying out of directed surveillance.

(2)   A person shall not grant an authorization for the carrying out of directed surveillance unless he believes—

(a)that the authorization is necessary on grounds falling within subsection (3); and

(b)that the authorized surveillance is proportionate to what is sought to be achieved by carrying it out.

(3)   An authorization is necessary on grounds falling within this subsection if it is necessary—

(a)in the interests of national security;

(b)for the purpose of preventing or detecting crime or of preventing disorder;

(c)in the interests of the economic well-being of the United Kingdom;

(d)in the interests of public safety;

(e)for the purpose of protecting public health;

(f)for the purpose of assessing or collecting any tax, duty, levy or other imposition, contribution or charge payable to a government department; or

(g)for any purpose (not falling within paragraphs (a) to (f)) which is specified for the purposes of this subsection by an order made by the Secretary of State.

(4)   The conduct that is authorized by an authorization for the carrying out of directed surveillance is any conduct that—

(a)consists in the carrying out of directed surveillance of any such description as is specified in the authorisation; and

(b)is carried out in the circumstances described in the authorization and for the purposes of the investigation or operation specified or described in the authorization.

(5)  The Secretary of State shall not make an order under subsection (3)(g) unless a draft of the order has been laid           before Parliament and approved by a resolution of each House.
 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/23/section/28 http://www.intelsecurity.co.uk/slir/w691/images/stories/additionalFields/content-3-40-iss%2022.jpg https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regulation_of_Investigatory_Powers_Act_2000