Investigatory Powers Act 2016


make provision about the interception of communications, equipment interference and the acquisition and retention of communications data, bulk personal datasets and other information; to make provision about the treatment of material held as a result of such interception, equipment interference or acquisition or retention; to establish the Investigatory Powers Commissioner and other Judicial Commissioners and make provision about them and other oversight arrangements; to make further provision about investigatory powers and national security; to amend sections 3 and 5 of the Intelligence Services Act 1994; and for connected purposes.

Government Bill

(Home Office)
What is this Bill?

The Investigatory Powers Act 2016 was a Government Bill that became an Act of Parliament.

Is this Bill currently before Parliament?

No. This Bill was introduced on 15 March 2016 and became an Act of Parliament on 29 November 2016.

Whose idea is this Bill?

Government Bills implement the legislative agenda of the Government. This agenda, and the Bills that will implement it, are outlined in the Queen's Speech at the Session's State Opening of Parliament.

How can I find out exactly what this Bill does?

The most straightforward information is contained in the initial Explanatory Notes for the Bill.

Would you like to know more?

See these Glossary articles for more information: Act of Parliament, Government Bills, Process of a Bill

Bill Progession through Parliament

Commons Completed
Lords Completed
Royal Assent

Latest Key documents

Timeline of Bill Documents and Stages

29th November 2016
Royal Assent (Minutes of Proceedings) (Commons)
29th November 2016
Royal Assent (Hansard) (Commons)
29th November 2016
Act of Parliament
Investigatory Powers Act 2016 c.25
16th November 2016
Ping Pong (Minutes of Proceedings): House of Lords
16th November 2016
Ping Pong (Lords Hansard): House of Lords
15th November 2016
Ping Pong: House of Commons
15th November 2016
Amendment papers
Commons Consideration of Lords Messages as at 15 November 2016
15th November 2016
Selection of amendments: Commons
Consideration of Lords Message (PDF, 259KB)
15th November 2016
Amendment papers
HL Bill 70-I Motion to be moved on consideration of Commons reasons (PDF, 76KB)
15th November 2016
Bills
HL Bill 70 Commons disagreement and reasons
14th November 2016
Amendment papers
Notices of CCLM Amendments as at 11 November 2016
11th November 2016
Amendment papers
Notices of CCLM Amendments as at 10 November 2016
3rd November 2016
Bills
Bill 89 2016-17, Lords Non-Insistence and Amendments in Lieu
2nd November 2016
Ping Pong (Hansard): House of Lords
2nd November 2016
Will write letters
Proceedings on consideration of Lords Amendments 1 November 2016
1st November 2016
Programme motion No.3: House of Commons
1st November 2016
Explanatory Notes
Bill 86-EN 2016-17
1st November 2016
Amendment papers
Commons Consideration of Lords Amendments as at 1 November 2016
1st November 2016
Bills
HL Bill 68 Commons reasons
1st November 2016
Amendment papers
HL Bill 68-I Marshalled list for consideration of Commons reasons (PDF, 78KB)
1st November 2016
Selection of amendments: Commons
Consideration of Lords Amendments (PDF, 260KB)
31st October 2016
3rd reading (Minutes of Proceedings): House of Lords
31st October 2016
3rd reading (Hansard): House of Lords
31st October 2016
Bills
Bill 86 2016-17, Lords Amendments to the Bill
28th October 2016
Briefing papers
Briefing Paper on Lords Amendments
28th October 2016
Amendment papers
HL Bill 66-I Marshalled list for Third Reading (PDF, 72KB)
26th October 2016
Amendment papers
HL Bill 66(b) Amendment for Third Reading (PDF, 43KB)
24th October 2016
Amendment papers
HL Bill 66(a) Amendments for Third Reading (PDF, 66KB)
19th October 2016
Report: 3rd sitting (Minutes of Proceedings): House of Lords
19th October 2016
Report: 3rd sitting (Hansard): House of Lords
19th October 2016
Bills
HL Bill 66 (as amended on Report)
17th October 2016
Report: 2nd sitting (Minutes of Proceedings): House of Lords
17th October 2016
Report: 2nd sitting (Hansard - part two): House of Lords
17th October 2016
Report: 2nd sitting (Hansard - part one): House of Lords
17th October 2016
Amendment papers
HL Bill 62-III Third marshalled list for Report (PDF, 153KB)
14th October 2016
Amendment papers
HL Bill 62-II(a) Amendments for Report, supplementary to the second marshalled list (PDF, 61KB)
13th October 2016
Amendment papers
HL Bill 62-II Second marshalled list for Report (PDF, 207KB)
12th October 2016
Amendment papers
HL Bill 62-I(Rev)(b) Amendments for Report, supplementary to the revised marshalled list (PDF, 69KB)
11th October 2016
Report: 1st sitting (Hansard): House of Lords
11th October 2016
Report stage (Minutes of Proceedings): House of Lords
11th October 2016
Amendment papers
HL Bill 62-I(Rev)(a) Amendment for Report, supplementary to the revised marshalled list (PDF, 51KB)
10th October 2016
Amendment papers
HL Bill 62-I(Rev) Revised marshalled list for Report (PDF, 244KB)
7th October 2016
Amendment papers
HL Bill 62-I Marshalled list for Report (PDF, 243KB)
6th October 2016
Amendment papers
HL Bill 62(c) Amendment for Report (PDF, 92KB)
4th October 2016
Amendment papers
HL Bill 62(b) Amendment for Report (PDF, 186KB)
3rd October 2016
Amendment papers
HL Bill 62(a) Amendment for Report (PDF, 44KB)
12th September 2016
Committee: 6th sitting (Minutes of Proceedings): House of Lords
12th September 2016
Committee: 6th sitting (Hansard): House of Lords
12th September 2016
Bills
HL Bill 62 (as amended in Committee)
8th September 2016
Amendment papers
HL Bill 40-VI Sixth marshalled list for Committee (PDF, 73KB)
7th September 2016
Committee: 5th sitting (Minutes of Proceedings): House of Lords
7th September 2016
Committee: 5th sitting (Hansard): House of Lords
6th September 2016
Amendment papers
HL Bill 40-V(Rev) Revised fifth marshalled list for Committee (PDF, 117KB)
5th September 2016
Committee: 4th sitting (Minutes of Proceedings): House of Lords
5th September 2016
Committee: 4th sitting (Hansard): House of Lords
5th September 2016
Will write letters
Letter dated 05/09/2016 from Earl Howe to Baroness Fookes regarding points raised by the Committee in relation to Clause 242(2) and (3) and Schedule 8, paragraph 33. (PDF, 107KB)
5th September 2016
Amendment papers
HL Bill 40-V Fifth marshalled list for Committee (PDF, 148KB)
1st September 2016
Amendment papers
HL Bill 40-IV Fourth marshalled list for Committee (PDF, 131KB)
26th August 2016
Amendment papers
HL Bill 40-III(d) Amendment for Committee, supplementary to the third marshalled list (PDF, 55KB)
17th August 2016
Amendment papers
HL Bill 40-III(c) Amendments for Committee, supplementary to the third marshalled list (PDF, 67KB)
16th August 2016
Amendment papers
HL Bill 40-III(b) Amendments for Committee, supplementary to the third marshalled list (PDF, 59KB)
21st July 2016
Amendment papers
HL Bill 40-III(a) Amendment for Committee, supplementary to the third marshalled list (PDF, 50KB)
19th July 2016
Committee: 3rd sitting (Minutes of Proceedings): House of Lords
19th July 2016
Committee: 3rd sitting (Hansard): House of Lords
15th July 2016
Amendment papers
HL Bill 40-III Third marshalled list for Committee (PDF, 153KB)
14th July 2016
Amendment papers
HL Bill 40-II(c) Amendment for Committee, supplementary to the second marshalled list (PDF, 52KB)
13th July 2016
Committee: 2nd sitting (Minutes of Proceedings): House of Lords
13th July 2016
Committee: 2nd sitting (Hansard): House of Lords
13th July 2016
Amendment papers
HL Bill 40-II(b) Amendments for Committee, supplementary to the second marshalled list (PDF, 61KB)
12th July 2016
Amendment papers
HL Bill 40-II(a) Amendments for Committee, supplementary to the second marshalled list (PDF, 67KB)
11th July 2016
Committee: 1st sitting (Mintes of Proceedings): House of Lords
11th July 2016
Committee: 1st sitting (Hansard): House of Lords
11th July 2016
Amendment papers
HL Bill 40-II Second marshalled list for Committee (PDF, 215KB)
8th July 2016
Amendment papers
HL Bill 40-I(Rev) Revised marshalled list for Committee
8th July 2016
Will write letters
Letter dated 08/07/2016 from Lord Keen of Elie to Lord Rooker regarding the second reading of the Bill and tests for legislation recommended by the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) panel. (PDF, 214KB)
7th July 2016
Amendment papers
HL Bill 40-I Marshalled list for Committee (PDF, 183KB)
6th July 2016
Amendment papers
HL Bill 40(d) Amendments for Committee (PDF, 84KB)
5th July 2016
Amendment papers
HL Bill 40(c) Amendments for Committee (PDF, 108KB)
4th July 2016
Amendment papers
HL Bill 40(b) Amendments for Committee (PDF, 59KB)
28th June 2016
Amendment papers
HL Bill 40(a) Amendments for Committee (PDF, 47KB)
27th June 2016
2nd reading (Minutes of Proceedings): House of Lords
27th June 2016
2nd reading (Hansard): House of Lords
21st June 2016
Library Notes
Investigatory Powers Bill: Briefing for Lords Stages
12th June 2016
Will write letters
Independent review of the operational case for bulk powers: Terms of reference. As referenced in Mr Hayes’ letter to Mr Starmer dated 06/06/15. (PDF, 99KB)
8th June 2016
1st reading (Minutes of Proceedings): House of Lords
8th June 2016
1st reading (Hansard): House of Lords
8th June 2016
Explanatory Notes
HL Bill 40 Explanatory Notes
8th June 2016
Will write letters
Letter dated 08/06/2016 from Earl Howe to Baroness Fookes regarding the Investigatory Powers Bill: Delegated Powers Memorandum. (PDF, 617KB)
8th June 2016
Bills
HL Bill 40 (as introduced)
7th June 2016
3rd reading: House of Commons
7th June 2016
Report: 2nd sitting: House of Commons
7th June 2016
Selection of amendments: Commons
Consideration on Report-Day 2 (PDF, 269KB)
7th June 2016
Amendment papers
Consideration of Bill Amendments as at 7 June 2016
6th June 2016
Report: 1st sitting: House of Commons
6th June 2016
Programme motion No.2: House of Commons
6th June 2016
Will write letters
Letter dated 06/06/2016 from Keir Starmer MP to John Hayes MP regarding the Bill and operation of bulk powers review. (PDF, 172KB)
6th June 2016
Will write letters
Letter dated 06/06/2016 from John Hayes MP to Keir Starmer MP regarding the Bill and operation of bulk powers review. (PDF, 515KB)
6th June 2016
Amendment papers
Manuscript Amendments 6 June 2016 (PDF, 16KB)
6th June 2016
Amendment papers
Consideration of Bill Amendments as at 6 June 2016
6th June 2016
Selection of amendments: Commons
Consideration on Report-Day 1 (PDF, 275KB)
3rd June 2016
Amendment papers
Notices of Amendments as at 2 June 2016
2nd June 2016
Amendment papers
Notices of Amendments as at 1 June 2016
2nd June 2016
Briefing papers
Committee Stage Report (OCTET-STREAM, 561KB)
27th May 2016
Amendment papers
Notices of Amendments as at 26 May 2016
24th May 2016
Amendment papers
Notices of Amendments as at 23 May 2016
20th May 2016
Amendment papers
Notices of Amendments as at 19 May 2016
19th May 2016
2nd reading: House of Commons
19th May 2016
1st reading: House of Commons
19th May 2016
Explanatory Notes
Bill 002-EN 2016-17
19th May 2016
Bills
Bill 002 2016-17, as introduced
5th May 2016
Amendment papers
Notices of Amendments as at 4 May 2016
5th May 2016
Tracked changes versions of Bills: Commons
Version of the bill showing changes made in committee (PDF, 1MB)
4th May 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Access Now (IPB72)
3rd May 2016
Committee Debate: 16th sitting: House of Commons
3rd May 2016
Committee Debate: 15th sitting: House of Commons
3rd May 2016
Amendment papers
Public Bill Committee Amendments as at 3 May 2016
29th April 2016
Amendment papers
Notices of Amendments as at 28 April 2016
29th April 2016
Selection of amendments: Commons
Consideration in Committee: Selection 7 (PDF, 266KB)
28th April 2016
Committee Debate: 14th sitting: House of Commons
28th April 2016
Committee Debate: 13th sitting: House of Commons
28th April 2016
Selection of amendments: Commons
Consideration in Committee: Selection 6 (PDF, 269KB)
28th April 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Sir David Pepper KCMG (IPB71)
28th April 2016
Amendment papers
Public Bill Committee Amendments as at 28 April 2016
27th April 2016
Amendment papers
Notices of Amendments as at 26 April 2016
26th April 2016
Committee Debate: 12th sitting: House of Commons
26th April 2016
Committee Debate: 11th sitting: House of Commons
26th April 2016
Amendment papers
Public Bill Committee Amendments as at 26 April 2016
26th April 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Letter from the Security Minister further submission (IPB70) (PDF, 5MB)
25th April 2016
Selection of amendments: Commons
Consideration in Committee: Selection 5 (PDF, 271KB)
25th April 2016
Amendment papers
Notices of Amendments as at 22 April 2016
22nd April 2016
Amendment papers
Notices of Amendments as at 21 April 2016
21st April 2016
Committee Debate: 9th sitting: House of Commons
21st April 2016
Committee Debate: 10th sitting: House of Commons
21st April 2016
Amendment papers
Public Bill Committee Amendments as at 21 April 2016
21st April 2016
Selection of amendments: Commons
Consideration in Committee: Selection 4 (PDF, 275KB)
21st April 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Letter from the Rt Hon Owen Paterson MP (IPB69) (PDF, 420KB)
20th April 2016
Amendment papers
Notices of Amendments as at 19 April 2016
19th April 2016
Committee Debate: 8th sitting: House of Commons
19th April 2016
Committee Debate: 7th sitting: House of Commons
19th April 2016
Amendment papers
Public Bill Committee Amendments as at 19 April 2016
19th April 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Tom Hickman (IPB66)
19th April 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: The Internet Telephony Services Providers’ Association (ITSPA) (IPB67)
19th April 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Letter from the Security Minister (IPB68) (PDF, 2MB)
19th April 2016
Selection of amendments: Commons
Consideration in Committee: Selection 3 (PDF, 278KB)
18th April 2016
Amendment papers
Notices of Amendments as at 15 April 2016
15th April 2016
Amendment papers
Notices of Amendments as at 14 April 2016
14th April 2016
Committee Debate: 6th sitting: House of Commons
14th April 2016
Committee Debate: 5th sitting: House of Commons
14th April 2016
Amendment papers
Public Bill Committee Amendments as at 14 April 2016
14th April 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Letter from the Home Office regarding Government amendments (IPB65) (PDF, 656KB)
14th April 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Dr Nora Ni Loideain, Research Associate, Technology and Democracy Project, CRASSH University of Cambridge (IPB64) (PDF, 176KB)
14th April 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Chris Farrimond, National Crime Agency, Simon Grunwell, HM Revenue & Customs and Richard Berry, National Police Chiefs Council (IPB63) (PDF, 1MB)
14th April 2016
Selection of amendments: Commons
Consideration in Committee: Selection 2 (PDF, 277KB)
13th April 2016
Amendment papers
Notices of Amendments as at 12 April 2016
12th April 2016
Committee Debate: 4th sitting: House of Commons
12th April 2016
Committee Debate: 3rd sitting: House of Commons
12th April 2016
Amendment papers
Public Bill Committee Amendments as at 12 April 2016
12th April 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Public Concern at work (IPB44) (PDF, 40KB)
12th April 2016
Selection of amendments: Commons
Consideration in Committee: Selection 1 (PDF, 277KB)
12th April 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Ted Marynicz (IPB45)
12th April 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: David Anderson QC (IPB46)
12th April 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Christopher Pidgeon (IPB47)
12th April 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Ray Mcclure (IPB48)
12th April 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Graham Seaman (IPB49)
12th April 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Alison Saunders, Director of Public Prosecution (IPB50)
12th April 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Dr C. N. M. Pounder, Amberhawk Training Limited (IPB51)
12th April 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Labour campaign for Human Rights (IPB52)
12th April 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: HUBS CIC (IPB53)
12th April 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Jisc Technologies (IPB54)
12th April 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Remote Control Project (IPB55)
12th April 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association (IPB56) (PDF, 117KB)
12th April 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: techUK further submission (IPB57)
12th April 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: The Law Society (IPB58)
12th April 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Open Rights Group (IPB59) (PDF, 166KB)
12th April 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: National Union of Journalists (IPB60)
12th April 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: The Law Society of Scotland (IPB61)
12th April 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Media Lawyers Association (IPB62)
12th April 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Dr Lindsey Bell (IPB43)
12th April 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Med Confidential (IPB42)
12th April 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Local Government Association (IPB41)
12th April 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Interception of Communications Commissioner's Office (IPB40) (PDF, 377KB)
11th April 2016
Amendment papers
Notices of Amendments as at 8 April 2016
8th April 2016
Amendment papers
Notices of Amendments as at 7 April 2016
25th March 2016
Amendment papers
Notices of Amendments as at 24 March 2016
24th March 2016
Committee Debate: 2nd sitting: House of Commons
24th March 2016
Committee Debate: 1st sitting: House of Commons
24th March 2016
Amendment papers
Public Bill Committee Amendments as at 24 March 2016
24th March 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Martin Kleppmann (IPB11)
24th March 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: IT-Political Association of Denmark (IPB20)
24th March 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Scottish PEN (IPB19)
24th March 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: James Le Cuirot (IPB18)
24th March 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Maritime and Coastguard Agency (IPB17)
24th March 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Annie Machon (IPB16)
24th March 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Tirath Bansal, Director, Myorb Limited (IPB15)
24th March 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Information Commissioner (IPB14)
24th March 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Adrian Kennard (IPB13)
24th March 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Keith Mallen (IPB12) (PDF, 216KB)
24th March 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Chief Inspector Keith Conradi, Air Accidents Investigation Branch, Chief Inspector Steve Clinch, Marine Accident Investigation Branch, and Chief Inspector Simon French, Rail Accident Investigation Branch (IPB22)
24th March 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: David Mytton (IPB10) (PDF, 255KB)
24th March 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Brian Scallan (IPB09)
24th March 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Brass Horn Communications (IPB08)
24th March 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Guardian News & Media (IPB07)
24th March 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Dr Paul Bernal, Lecturer in Information Technology, Intellectual Property and Media Law at the UEA Law School (IPB06)
24th March 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Jaron Shulver (IPB05)
24th March 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Muslim Council of Britain (IPB01)
24th March 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: John Bingham (IPB04)
24th March 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Internet Service Providers Association (ISPA) (IPB31) (PDF, 266KB)
24th March 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: David Sawford (IPB03)
24th March 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: JUSTICE (IPB39) (PDF, 214KB)
24th March 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Bar Council (IPB38)
24th March 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Kevin Cahill (IPB37)
24th March 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Center for Democracy & Technology (IPB36)
24th March 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Christopher Lloyd (IPB35)
24th March 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Equality and Human Rights Commission (IPB34)
24th March 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Digital-Trust, CIC (IPB33)
24th March 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law (IPB32)
24th March 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Apple, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Twitter and Yahoo (IPB21)
24th March 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Ray Corrigan (IPB30) (PDF, 353KB)
24th March 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Leonard J. Crabs, on behalf of the Megan Kyanka College Fund (IPB29)
24th March 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Criminal Cases Review Commission (IPB28)
24th March 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: teckUK (IPB27)
24th March 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: News Media Association (IPB26)
24th March 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Big Brother Watch (IPB25) (PDF, 426KB)
24th March 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Stuart Johnson, Director, Logic Ethos Ltd. (IPB24)
24th March 2016
Written evidence
Written evidence: Open Intelligence (IPB23)
24th March 2016
Press notices
Investigatory Powers Bill Committee: Schedule of Evidence (PDF, 79KB)
23rd March 2016
Amendment papers
Notices of Amendments as at 22 March 2016
18th March 2016
Amendment papers
Notices of Amendments as at 17 March 2016
16th March 2016
Press notices
Have your say on the Investigatory Powers Bill
15th March 2016
Ways and Means resolution: House of Commons
15th March 2016
Programme motion: House of Commons
15th March 2016
Money resolution: House of Commons
15th March 2016
Carry-over motion: House of Commons
11th March 2016
Briefing papers
Briefing Paper on Second Reading
1st March 2016
Bills
Bill 143 2015-2016, as introduced
1st March 2016
Explanatory Notes
Bill 143-EN, as revised 7 April 2016