FOI request (FOIR-536589852)

Communications data obtained by Council

Requested Thu 03 August 2023
Responded Thu 24 August 2023

1. Since 1st January 2018, on how many occasions has your council obtained the 'communications data' (that is, Call Data Records, or CDRs) of individuals from mobile telecoms providers, either directly or indirectly through another agency (for example, Metropolitan Police, Home Office, and so on)? Please break this down as follows:

a. number of separate occasions these were requested.

b. number of individual phone numbers for which CDRs were requested.

c. the legal basis for the requests. Please specify the number of requests per legal basis. For example, 'total requests: 3, Investigatory Powers Act - 2, Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 - 1'.

d. the particular legislation used, for example, PACE, RIPA, IP Act (number of instances as a percentage of the total).

e. what percentage of requests for that data were rejected, and the reasons for the rejection.

For guidance, CDRs are part of 'communications data' from a telecoms company. Please see this document, particularly page 13:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/426248/Acquisition_and_Disclosure_of_Communications_Data_Code_of_Practice_March_2015.pdf

2. Since 1st January 2018, has your council purchased or otherwise received (including free of charge) any anonymised mobile phone communications data sets (otherwise known as anonymised CDRs), be they of individuals or aggregate data.

For your information, an example of commercial 'big data' for mobile phones can be found here:

https://thenextweb.com/uk/2012/10/09/telefonica-launches-big-data-analysis-service-for-business-and-local-authorities/

a. If yes, please state on how many occasions and when.

b. From which telecoms providers the communications data originated.

c. If purchased via a third-party, please specify which company.

d. The intended use of that data.

e. The total amount spent, if anything.

f. If not purchased but nonetheless shared, please state the name of the body that provided the data.

Response

1. Nil

2. Nil