1. Introduction

In 1998, the European Court of Human Rights stated that UK surveillance laws were unclear and that there was nothing in place to prevent abuses of power by organisations regarding the interception of electronic communications.

It was decided that UK surveillance laws and practice must be tighter in order to protect the individual's rights to privacy.

As a result, the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act was passed in 2000.

Use the links on the left-hand menu to find out more about this important Act.