Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the safeguards against the misuse by the police and other public authorities of International Mobile Subscriber Identity Catcher devices to intercept and listen to phone calls, collect and read text messages and emails, and block phone calls in a specific area.

Investigative activity involving interference with property or wireless telegraphy, such as International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) grabbers, is regulated by the Police Act 1997 and the Intelligence Services Act 1994 which sets out the high level of authorisation required before the police or Security and intelligence agencies can undertake such activity. Use of these powers is overseen by the Intelligence Services Commissioner and the Office of Surveillance Commissioners. In any case involving the interception of the content of a communication, a warrant authorised by the Secretary of State under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 is required.