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Written question asked by Lord Mann (Non-affiliated) on Monday, 7 December 2020, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 21 December 2020. It was answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford (Conservative) on Tuesday, 22 December 2020 on behalf of the Home Office.


Communication Service Providers

Question

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the current annual budget required to cover the cost of obtaining information, including IP addresses, from communication service providers in relation to criminal investigations.

Answer

Information relating to the cost of obtaining information from communication service providers in relation to criminal investigations is not held centrally by the Home Office.

Section 249 of the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 recognises that Telecommunications Operators and Postal Operators incur expenses in complying with requirements in the Act. The Act, therefore, allows for appropriate, minimal reimbursement to be made to them to cover these costs insofar as they do not suffer commercial disadvantage for complying with their notice. All other costs are expected to be met by the Telecommunications Operator. Section 22 of the Communications Data Code of Practice sets out further relevant detail in relation to Communications Data funding.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL11151
Session
2019-21
Subjects
Disclosure of information Criminal investigation Costs Finance Communication service providers
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk