New UK laws are expected to increase jail penalties for deliberate sabotage of undersea internet cables around Britain, targeting Russian interference. Current penalties allow fines of about 1,000 unless prosecutors prove the act was carried out on behalf of a foreign power, which can lead to prison. Digital economy minister Liz Lloyd said ministers will make the law clearer, tougher, and harder to evade, warning that reckless or deliberate targeting of cables will bring serious consequences. Undersea fibre-optic cables carry 99 per cent of global digital communications and support commercial, government, and military operations. Damage to Britain’s cables could disrupt political and operational communications.
"Saboteurs who deliberately damage undersea internet cables around Britain are expected to face jail under new laws designed to crack down on Russian interference. The penalty for interfering with communications cables currently carries fines of just 1,000, unless prosecutors can prove the action was on behalf of a foreign power, which can be punished with a prison sentence. But Liz Lloyd, the digital economy minister, said in a speech in central London that ministers would make the law clearer, tougher, and much harder to evade, sending a clear message that if you act recklessly or if you deliberately target our cables, there will be serious consequences."
"The move is designed to act as a deterrent to protect the undersea fibre-optic cables, which are responsible for 99 per cent of the world's digital communications and perform an essential role in commercial, government and military operations by securely transmitting information. Any damage to Britain's undersea cables could cause serious politi"
Read at www.independent.co.uk
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