Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (c. 25) – Section 45 – Interception by providers of postal or telecommunications services
Sections
Section 45Interception by providers of postal or telecommunications services
(1) The interception of a communication is authorised by this section if the interception is carried out—
- (a)by, or on behalf of, a person who provides a postal service or a telecommunications service, and
- (b)for any of the purposes in subsection (2).
(2) The purposes referred to in subsection (1) are—
- (a)purposes relating to the provision or operation of the service;
- (b)purposes relating to the enforcement, in relation to the service, of any enactment relating to—
- (i)the use of postal or telecommunications services, or
- (ii)the content of communications transmitted by means of such services;
- (i)
- (c)purposes relating to the provision of services or facilities aimed at preventing or restricting the viewing or publication of the content of communications transmitted by means of postal or telecommunications services.
(3) A reference in this section to anything carried out for purposes relating to the provision or operation of a telecommunications service includes, among other things, a reference to anything done for the purposes of identifying, combating or preventing anything which could affect—
- (a)any telecommunication system by means of which the service is provided, or
- (b)any apparatus attached to such a system.
https://ipa.digiphile.law/article/article-45.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.