UK Eyes New Law as 1885 Telegraph Act Proves Inadequate for Cable Sabotage (theregister.com)
(Wednesday July 02, 2025 @11:20AM (msmash)
from the keeping-up-with-times dept.)
- Reference: 0178251716
- News link: https://tech.slashdot.org/story/25/07/02/1136225/uk-eyes-new-law-as-1885-telegraph-act-proves-inadequate-for-cable-sabotage
- Source link: https://www.theregister.com/2025/07/02/uk_cable_sabotage_law/
The UK government is preparing new legislation to [1]address undersea cable sabotage as current laws are proving inadequate for modern threats. Ministry of Defence parliamentary under-secretary Luke Pollard told lawmakers yesterday that the Submarine Telegraph Act of 1885, which imposes 1,000 pound ($1,370) fines, "does seem somewhat out of step with the modern-day risk."
The government's Strategic Defence Review proposes a new defence readiness bill to cover state-sponsored cybercrime and subsea cable attacks. Chris Bryant, minister of state for data protection and telecoms, said fines could be increased to 5,000 pound ($6,850) through secondary legislation but "that just doesn't seem to meet the needs of the situation."
Recent incidents include Sweden's deployment of forces to the Baltic Sea following suspected Russian attacks on underwater data cables in January. The China Strategic Risks Institute found that eight of ten identified vessels in 12 sabotage incidents between January 2021 and April 2025 were linked to China or Russia through registration or ownership.
[1] https://www.theregister.com/2025/07/02/uk_cable_sabotage_law/
The government's Strategic Defence Review proposes a new defence readiness bill to cover state-sponsored cybercrime and subsea cable attacks. Chris Bryant, minister of state for data protection and telecoms, said fines could be increased to 5,000 pound ($6,850) through secondary legislation but "that just doesn't seem to meet the needs of the situation."
Recent incidents include Sweden's deployment of forces to the Baltic Sea following suspected Russian attacks on underwater data cables in January. The China Strategic Risks Institute found that eight of ten identified vessels in 12 sabotage incidents between January 2021 and April 2025 were linked to China or Russia through registration or ownership.
[1] https://www.theregister.com/2025/07/02/uk_cable_sabotage_law/
So... (Score:2)
by Valgrus Thunderaxe ( 8769977 )
The people cutting these cables care about the laws in the UK?
Re: (Score:2)
by karmawarrior ( 311177 )
They care about being punished if they're caught, yes, but only if the punishment is something somewhat more than 5000 quid.
Re: (Score:3)
by ArchieBunker ( 132337 )
They're going to fine the boat operating from one country, flying the flag of another, manned by a crew from yet a third country, while the owner of the boat lives in a fourth country. That sums up maritime law. 1885 era fines are a bit comical.
Re: (Score:2)
by taustin ( 171655 )
I recall a news story about a contractor who severed the major fiber trunk line between Los Angeles and Las Vegas with a backhoe because he didn't call Dig Alert. He was facing life in prison, and millions in fines.
It's odd when the US is ahead of the curve on something like this.
Yes (Score:1)
Let us address undersea optical cable sabotage and not worry about daily copper cable thefts around the country. Go Keir!
Re: (Score:2, Informative)
I don't know about the UK, but in the USA, copper thefts are commited by drug addicts*. And as they are a protected species and communications and power cables are a significant resource necessary for their survival, nothing can be done.
*They actually harvest fiber optic cabling and aluminum high voltage conductors as well, being unable to distinguish between these and copper.
Re: (Score:1)
The court system has to protect their source of income. If every criminal is behind bars then the courts wouldn't have much to do. So release them, rinse and repeat.