UK Proposes Emergency Powers to Safeguard Undersea Internet Cables

The UK government is planning to introduce emergency powers that would allow ministers to compel telecom companies to take action to protect undersea internet cables and pipelines during national security crises. The proposed measures come amid heightened concerns about potential interference with critical infrastructure, with specific attention drawn to Russian activities.

The new legislation would grant officials greater authority to access sites such as cable landing stations and to order the removal or disabling of services. Additionally, the government intends to implement stricter criminal penalties for tampering with undersea cables or energy pipelines. Those convicted of intentional tampering could face up to 14 years in prison, while reckless or grossly negligent conduct could result in 10-year or two-year sentences, respectively, along with unlimited fines.

These plans stem from a perceived gap in existing legal powers, which ministers state have not kept pace with the increasing national security significance of undersea infrastructure. A significant portion of the UK's international data traffic and a substantial amount of its gas supplies rely on an extensive network of undersea cables and pipelines, largely operated by the private sector. A parliamentary report last year highlighted security vulnerabilities within these vital networks, affecting sectors such as finance, transport, and supply chains.

The UK and its NATO allies have expressed growing concerns regarding the risk posed by Russia to offshore infrastructure. In April, the government accused Russian submarines of conducting covert operations near cables and pipelines in waters north of the UK. The UK has also alleged that Russia has been mapping undersea infrastructure using spy ships, with the Royal Navy having tracked one such vessel, the Yantar, near UK waters last year. Russia has denied these accusations, labeling them as "anti-Russian alarmism."

According to a government policy paper, current legislation lacks sufficient emergency powers to address incidents affecting undersea infrastructure effectively. Existing powers for broader national emergencies are considered too slow for a swift response to such a crisis. The proposed powers aim to provide a more agile response, similar to measures in place for air and water traffic control.

Under the new proposals, telecoms companies could be required to provide information or modify services in response to specific threats. Companies refusing to comply with such orders could face substantial fines, up to £17 million or 10% of their global turnover. While orders would typically be made public, exceptions could be granted on national security grounds.

The proposed powers are primarily focused on undersea telecommunications services, though the document notes that separate considerations are underway for energy infrastructure. Ministers hope these measures will extend to undersea services operating beyond the UK's 12-nautical-mile territorial waters, acknowledging that this may require international cooperation. The government is also reviewing international regimes to inform its proposals. Existing laws, some dating back to the Victorian era and designed for telegraphic cables, may not adequately cover breaches of modern fiber-optic cables.