Electronic surveillance

Home Office proposes new surveillance watchdog

The police and other bodies will need the go-ahead from a new independent watchdog before tapping into phone and internet records, under proposed curbs to the so-called “snoopers' charter”.

The Home Office has bowed to pressure to introduce new safeguards to the controversial legislation, after the EU's highest court ruled it illegal.

Under plans in a newly published consultation document, a new Office for Communications Data Authorisations (OCDA) would be set up with its own headquarters and dedicated staff to consider applications from the police and other public bodies. They would include local authorities, which would require “senior internal approval” before sending an application to the OCDA.

Councils would no longer have to gain judicial approval by a magistrate – as they do under the “snoopers’ charter”, or Investigatory Powers Act (IPA) – which would “undermine” the OCDA, the Home Office said.