Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (c. 25) – Section 198 – Chapter 3: interpretation
Sections
Section 198Chapter 3: interpretation
(1) In this Chapter—
- “communication” includes—
- (a)anything comprising speech, music, sounds, visual images or data of any description, and
- (b)signals serving either for the impartation of anything between persons, between a person and a thing or between things or for the actuation or control of any apparatus;
- (a)
- “equipment” means equipment producing electromagnetic, acoustic or other emissions or any device capable of being used in connection with such equipment;
- “equipment data” has the meaning given by section 177;
- “private information” includes information relating to a person's private or family life;
- “protected material”, in relation to a bulk equipment interference warrant, has the meaning given by section 193(9);
- “senior official” means a member of the Senior Civil Service or a member of the Senior Management Structure of Her Majesty's Diplomatic Service;
- “the specified operational purposes” has the meaning given by section 183(12).
(2) See also—
- section 261 (telecommunications definitions);
- section 263 (general definitions);
- section 264 (general definitions: “journalistic material” etc.);
- section 265 (index of defined expressions).
https://ipa.digiphile.law/article/article-198.html
Text as at 7 October 2026.
This is an unofficial convenience version of the Investigatory Powers Act 2016. It is presented “as is” without guarantee of accuracy, completeness or reliability. See the source text for the official version. This site was last updated in October 2026.