Britain to step up subsea cable protection on rising Russian threat
Officials are weighing prison terms and a UK-flagged repair vessel as they seek to deter negligence and sabotage that cause most cable outages.
- Britain unveiled plans to strengthen legal protections for subsea cables amid growing sabotage fears, proposing tougher penalties including potential prison sentences for reckless or deliberate damage to underwater infrastructure.
- Telecoms Minister Liz Lloyd stated that current regulations, some dating back more than 140 years, are insufficient to address modern security challenges threatening critical infrastructure.
- Undersea cables carry more than 99% of international internet traffic and support daily financial transactions valued at over $1.88 trillion, yet current penalties for interference involve fines of just £1,000.
- The new measures aim to close legal loopholes by targeting ship owners and operators who recklessly damage underwater infrastructure, improving deterrence against malicious activity operating in a 'grey zone'.
- Officials are evaluating acquisition of a UK-flagged repair vessel to bolster response capabilities, with a decision expected later this year amid a broader push to secure maritime assets.
13 Articles
13 Articles
London fears Russia's hostile activity in critical infrastructure.
UK Plans Tougher Penalties Over Subsea Cable Sabotage Amid Rising Security Concern
The United Kingdom is preparing to introduce stricter legal penalties, including potential prison sentences, for ship owners and operators whose negligence leads to the damage of subsea internet cables. The measures aim to safeguard critical national infrastructure from sabotage, following recent intelligence about suspicious foreign activity, according to European Pravda on May 29. We bring you stories from the ground. Your support keeps our t…
Putin questions claims over Romania drone crash as UK plans tougher cable sabotage laws
The Kremlin called for evidence before assigning blame for a drone crash in Romania, while Britain announced plans for stricter laws to counter growing threats to critical underwater infrastructure.
Britain to step up subsea cable protection on rising Russian threat
Britain said shipowners and operators who recklessly damaged subsea internet cables could face tougher penalties, including prison sentences, under proposals to help deter Russia and other hostile states from sabotaging vital national infrastructure.
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