UK plans emergency powers and 14-year sentences to protect undersea cables
Ministers want powers to order telecoms firms to disable services in a national security emergency, amid fears of Russian interference.
The Russian vessel Yantar, which the UK has accused of mapping undersea infrastructure. File photo. · Photograph: Andrey Luzik (CC BY 4.0)
The UK government has set out plans for new powers to protect the undersea cables that carry almost all of the country's international data traffic.
Under the proposals, ministers could order telecoms companies to hand over information, change or disable services during a national security emergency, and officials would get access to sites such as cable landing stations. Firms that refuse could be fined up to £17 million or 10% of global turnover.
Tampering with undersea cables or energy pipelines would carry up to 14 years in prison for intentional acts, 10 years for reckless conduct and two years for gross negligence.
The plans come amid concern about Russian activity in UK waters, including much of the sea around Scotland. In April, the government accused Russian submarines of a covert operation over cables and pipelines north of the UK, and the Royal Navy has tracked the Russian ship Yantar. Russia denies the claims.
The government said current laws, some dating from the Victorian era, may not cover modern fibre-optic cables. New legislation will follow a consultation with industry that closes in January.