Guidance

Interception of communications: code of practice

Code of practice for the security and law enforcement agencies’ use of interception powers.

• From: Home Office
• Published: 13 December 2022
• Last updated: 6 June 2025
  Show all updates

  1. 6 June 2025

     Code of practice updated as the draft laid before Parliament on 31 March 2025 is now in force.

  2. 13 December 2022

     First published.

Documents

Interception of communications code of practice (accessible)

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Interception of communications code of practice

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Details

This code of practice provides guidance on the procedures that must be followed when interception of communications or the obtaining of secondary data take place under the provisions of the Investigatory Powers Act 2016.

It’s intended for use by:

• public authorities listed in section 18 of the Investigatory Power Act
• postal and telecommunications operators
• other interested bodies