UK proposes up to 14 years in prison for damaging subsea cables
Original title: UK threatens subsea cable saboteurs with 14 years behind bars
A 12-week consultation would replace 1885 penalties and add security duties for telecoms operators; the plans are not law yet.
The UK government set out plans to replace parts of the Submarine Telegraph Act 1885 with tougher penalties for damaging subsea cables and pipelines. Intentional damage to critical energy or telecoms infrastructure could bring up to 14 years in prison, with unlimited fines proposed for reckless or negligent damage. Ministers also want security duties for subsea telecoms operators, powers to direct companies and repair providers, and regulation of fiber-optic sensing. Whitehall cites suspicious Russian activity, including an April submarine operation near undersea infrastructure. A 12-week consultation is open.
Unconfirmed: The measures are consultation proposals, not enacted law, and proving who damaged a cable remains difficult.
- Whitehall says subsea cables carry about 99 percent of UK international data traffic.
- Underwater pipelines account for 74 percent of UK gas supply, according to the government.
- The 1885 Act’s maximum fine for culpable negligence was £100.
- Earlier government estimates attributed up to 97 percent of cable faults to fishing and dragging anchors.
- Ministers would be able to direct operators where necessary and proportionate for national security.
From the original article
3 min read at theregister.comWhitehall wants tougher penalties and new powers over telecoms operators as Russian activity raises alarm
By Carly Page · theregister.com
A short excerpt; the article and its images belong to the publisher. Summary, key facts and assessment above are AI-written from the article and can be wrong.