UK plans emergency powers to protect undersea cables

Britain is drawing up emergency powers to protect the undersea cables that carry its internet and phone traffic, as ministers warn of growing threats from Russian activity in British waters.

Under plans set out in a government policy paper, ministers would be able to order telecoms companies to remove or disable services during a national security emergency, and could force them to hand over information. Firms that refuse to comply could face fines of up to £17 million or 10% of global turnover.

The government says it currently lacks emergency powers to deal with threats to undersea infrastructure, and wants new legislation to follow a consultation with industry. It is also proposing tougher criminal penalties for tampering with cables, with prison sentences of up to 14 years for the most serious intentional conduct.

The move follows a series of accusations against Moscow. The government says Russian submarines ran a covert operation over cables and pipelines, and that the Royal Navy tracked the Yantar, a Russian defence ministry vessel accused of mapping underwater infrastructure near UK waters. Russia has denied the claims.

Ministers want the new powers to cover the "full extent" of undersea services, although officials concede this will need coordination with other countries, and the rules are not aimed at companies running energy infrastructure.

An extensive network of privately owned undersea cables and pipelines connects the UK to North America and Europe, and a parliamentary report last year warned of security vulnerabilities in key areas including financial services and transport.