The New U.K. Investigatory Powers Act—Under The Spotlight Following Key EU Ruling

On Nov. 29, 2016, the Investigatory Powers Billreceived Royal Assent to become the Investigatory Powers Act 2016. The Bill, which the Government called a “landmark bill,” sets out and governs the powers available to the police, security and intelligence agencies to gather and access electronic communications. The Government says that the 2016 Act will “ensure that law enforcement and the security and intelligence agencies have the powers they need in a digital age to disrupt terrorist attacks, subject to strict safeguards and world-leading oversight.” The Government also says that the new legislation brings together and updates existing powers while ...