Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (c. 25) – Section 3 – Offence of unlawful interception

Sections

Section 3Offence of unlawful interception

(1) A person commits an offence if—

(a)
the person intentionally intercepts a communication in the course of its transmission by means of—
- (i)
  a public telecommunication system,
- (ii)
  a private telecommunication system, or
- (iii)
  a public postal service,
(b)
the interception is carried out in the United Kingdom, and
(c)
the person does not have lawful authority to carry out the interception.

(2) But it is not an offence under subsection (1) for a person to intercept a communication in the course of its transmission by means of a private telecommunication system if the person—

(a)
is a person with a right to control the operation or use of the system, or
(b)
has the express or implied consent of such a person to carry out the interception.

(3) Sections 4 and 5 contain provision about—

(a)
the meaning of “interception”, and
(b)
when interception is to be regarded as carried out in the United Kingdom.

(4) Section 6 contains provision about when a person has lawful authority to carry out an interception.

(5) For the meaning of the terms used in subsection (1)(a)(i) to (iii), see sections 261 and 262.

(6) A person who is guilty of an offence under subsection (1) is liable—

(a)
on summary conviction in England and Wales, to a fine;
(b)
on summary conviction in Scotland or Northern Ireland, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum;
(c)
on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to a fine, or to both.

(7) No proceedings for any offence which is an offence by virtue of this section may be instituted—

(a)
in England and Wales, except by or with the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions;
(b)
in Northern Ireland, except by or with the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland.

Annotations

Commencement Information

I1 S. 3 in force at 27.6.2018 by S.I. 2018/652, reg. 7(b)

https://ipa.digiphile.law/article/article-3.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.