The Telecommunications Security Bill, which we previously highlighted as being draconian in the Henry VIII sense of the word, has passed largely unamended through both Houses of Parliament in the United Kingdom and will shortly get Royal Assent.
The Bill (soon to be an Act), while containing some important operative provisions, is fundamentally an enabler for two upcoming instruments – the Telecommunications (Security) Regulations and the Code of Conduct. The former had a draft published with the Bill, but the responsible UK Government department, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, has signalled that some of it needs changing – we await and see what is laid before Parliament before the expected operative date of 1st October 2022.
The Code of Conduct will be subject to consultation in the normal way.
It is these two instruments that have contained some of the worst of the draconian provisions, so for those with an interest in the outcome, the passage of the Bill into law is only the first battle – there remains much to do.
If you are affected by the contents and want some advice, or wish to engage with those in power on the subject, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Additionally, the UK trade associations ISPA (Internet Service Providers Association) and CCUK (Comms Council UK, formerly ITSPA) are working with their membership on the subject matter.
