UK security services must seek approval to access telecoms data, judges rule

Liberty hails decision that prior independent authorisation is needed for people's communications data

The security and intelligence services must acquire prior independent authorisation" to obtain people's communications data from telecom providers, a civil rights campaign group has said, after it won a high court challenge.

Liberty hailed a landmark victory" and said two judges ruled it was unlawful for MI5, MI6 and GCHQ to obtain individuals' communications data from telecom providers without having prior independent authorisation during criminal investigations.