Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she plans to take in response to the recent European Court of Human Rights ruling in the case of Big Brother Watch and Others v the UK (application nos. 58170/13, 62322/14 and 24969/15) on the compatibility of the law covering bulk communications data interception and human rights law; and if she will make a statement.

The UK has one of the most robust and transparent oversight regimes for the protection of personal data and privacy anywhere in the world. This unprecedented transparency sets an international benchmark for how the law can protect both privacy and security whilst continuing to respond dynamically to an evolving threat picture.

This challenge concerned The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 which has now been replaced in large part by The Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (IPA).

We are pleased the Court recognised bulk interception is a vital tool that may be used by States to counter threats, including those relating to national security.

We are considering the judgment and the implications for the new regime under the IPA, working with stakeholders across government, and will be sending a formal response to the Court later this year.