UK Investigatory Powers Commissioner to oversee UK-US Data Access Agreement
The UK government announced that the Investigatory Powers Commissioner (IPC) Sir Brian Leveson will be responsible for providing independent oversight of the UK’s use of the new UK-USA Data Access Agreement when it comes into use later this year. The agreement will allow certain UK public authorities, including law enforcement, to request electronic data directly from US telecommunications operators through a court-approved order or a warrant, speeding up investigations and prosecutions. The UK/USA Data Access Agreement completed its ratification in the UK Parliament earlier, and will soon complete its scrutiny process in the US Congress.