Protecting the public in a changing communications environment

PART 2 – THE NEW COMMUNICATIONS ENVIRONMENT

The communications industry is highly competitive and technologically driven. The UK is currently undergoing the most significant changes in communications since the development of the telephone. These changes are bringing significant benefits to the consumer. However, they will also have a profound effect on the ability of public authorities to use communications data to investigate crime and protect the public. If the Government does not act to keep up with these changes, the ability of public authorities to use communications data as they do now will be severely degraded.