The British government has proposed new legislation that would impose prison sentences of up to 14 years and unlimited fines for damaging undersea cables and pipelines. The move addresses escalating concerns about the vulnerability of these critical structures to hostile state actions, including physical attacks and cyberattacks. The proposed law would protect telecommunications cables, electricity interconnectors, and pipelines that carry 99% of the United Kingdom’s international data traffic and supply 74% of its gas. These new measures would replace the Submarine Telegraph Act of 1885, which currently allows for only a maximum fine of £1,000 and five years imprisonment for deliberate damage.
Under the new proposals, individuals found guilty of reckless damage would face up to 10 years in prison, while those responsible through gross negligence could receive up to two years. The government also plans to establish statutory security requirements for subsea telecommunications operators and grant powers to direct cable providers on national security grounds. A recent incident involving damage to the Estlink 2 electricity cable between Finland and Estonia illustrated the scale of potential costs, with repairs estimated between €50 million and €60 million. The public consultation period for these proposals runs through January 14, 2027.
Source: Read the full story at The Record
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