IPA 2016 Part 3 communications data: UK public authorities, permitted purposes, data categories and authorisation routes (Investigatory Powers Commissioner and DSOs) - practitioner checklist

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Checklists

The Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (IPA 2016) reshapes the statutory regime governing covert surveillance conducted by public authorities, a regime largely, but not entirely, previously contained in the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA 2000).

This Checklist carefully sets out those public authorities that hold the power to apply for authorisation to obtain communications data under IPA 2016, Pt 3, preserving the established focus and scope throughout.

Authorisations to secure communications data may only be granted where defined conditions are satisfied, by the Investigatory Powers Commissioner under IPA 2016, s 60A, by designated senior officers under IPA 2016, s 61, or by designated senior officers in urgent circumstances under IPA 2016, s 61A.

In operational practice, the Office for Communications Data Authorisations carries out this function on the Commissioner’s behalf.

The table below specifies which public authorities may apply to access communications data, the kinds of communications data they are permitted to request, together with the purposes for which such data may be obtained, whether through applications to the Investigatory Powers Commissioner, or through their internal designated senior officers, as appropriate.

Definitions

The terms set out below are referred to in the table. Only specified designated senior officers (DSOs)...

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Web page updated on 22/05/2026

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