UK plans emergency powers to protect undersea cables amid Russian interference fears

New penalties include up to 14 years in prison for intentional damage to internet cables or energy pipelines

By LineZotpaper

Published22 October 2026

Read Time3 min

The UK government has proposed new emergency powers to protect undersea internet cables and energy pipelines from tampering, citing heightened fears of Russian interference and legal gaps in existing regulations. Ministers would gain the authority to order telecom companies to modify or disable services during national security emergencies, alongside harsher criminal penalties of up to 14 years in prison for intentional damage.

In a policy paper published on Thursday, the government outlined plans to strengthen protection for undersea infrastructure, which carries almost all of the UK's international data traffic and three-quarters of its gas supplies. The proposed measures include new emergency powers allowing officials to force telecom companies to hand over information or alter their services in response to specific threats or incidents.

The changes would also introduce stricter criminal penalties: up to 14 years in prison for intentional conduct damaging cables or pipelines, 10 years for reckless conduct, and two years for grossly negligent conduct. Companies that refuse to comply with government orders could face fines of up to £17 million or 10% of global turnover.

The government said it currently lacks emergency powers comparable to those in the water and air traffic sectors, and broader powers for national emergencies could be too slow to exercise during a crisis. Existing laws on undersea infrastructure date from the Victorian period and were designed for telegraphic cables, not modern fibre-optic ones, raising questions about their applicability.

Concerns over Russian activity in UK waters have grown. In April, the government accused Russian submarines of conducting a covert operation over cables and pipelines north of the UK. It also said Russia had used spy ships to map undersea infrastructure, including the vessel Yantar, tracked by the Royal Navy last year after it passed near UK waters. Russia has denied the claims and accused the UK of stirring up tensions through "anti-Russian alarmism."

The parliamentary report last year warned of security vulnerabilities in areas including transport, supply chains, financial services, and payment systems. A committee also warned of gaps in Arctic defence leaving the UK open to Russian attacks.

The proposed powers would require new legislation, to be set out after a consultation with industry that closes in January. The government said the powers would not initially apply to companies operating energy infrastructure, though new measures in that area were being considered separately. It also conceded that the powers' application outside UK territorial waters, up to 12 nautical miles from the coast, would require coordination with other countries.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The proposed powers could directly affect telecom companies, introducing new compliance obligations and potential fines for non-compliance.
The measures reflect a broader escalation in tensions between the UK and Russia over critical infrastructure, with implications for international data security.
The consultation process and legislative timeline will determine how quickly these protections can be implemented, with potential delays.

Background

Undersea cables and pipelines form the backbone of modern global communications and energy supply, carrying the vast majority of international data traffic and significant gas supplies. The UK government and its Nato allies have grown increasingly concerned about Russian activity near this infrastructure, including suspected surveillance and mapping operations. A parliamentary report last year highlighted vulnerabilities across multiple sectors, while the government has pointed to gaps in legal powers to respond to incidents.

Key Perspectives

UK Government: The new powers are necessary to close legal loopholes and protect critical national infrastructure from a growing threat, particularly from Russia. Ministers argue that existing regulations do not allow a swift response during an emergency.

Telecom Companies: Industry will face new obligations to comply with government orders, with significant fines for non-compliance. The consultation process gives them an opportunity to raise concerns about implementation.

Critics and Skeptics: Russia has dismissed the claims as "anti-Russian alarmism," and some may question the necessity and scope of the new powers, including the ability to issue secret orders on national security grounds.

What to Watch

The outcome of the consultation closing in January, which will shape the final legislation.
Whether other countries adopt similar measures, given the government's need for international coordination on extraterritorial enforcement.
Any further confirmed incidents or public accusations involving Russian activity near UK undersea infrastructure.

Sources

UK plans emergency powers to protect undersea cables · BBC Scotland

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 8 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedThe UK plans emergency powers to protect undersea cables amid fears of Russian interference.BBC Scotland: “The government has outlined new measures to protect the UK's undersea internet cables amid increased fears of Russian interference.”
Partly supportedThe proposed emergency powers would protect both undersea internet cables and energy pipelines.BBC Scotland: “The proposed powers are not intended to apply to companies operating energy infrastructure, although the document added that new powers in this area were being considered separately.”
Partly supportedThe summary says intentional damage to cables or pipelines could bring up to 14 years in prison.BBC Scotland: “The new powers would be backed up with prison sentences of up to 14 years for intentional conduct, 10 years for reckless conduct and two years for grossly negligent conduct”
SupportedMinisters would be able to order telecom companies to modify or disable services during national security emergencies.BBC Scotland: “Ministers are set to gain powers to order telecom companies to remove or disable services during national security emergencies”
SupportedUndersea cables and pipelines carry almost all UK international data traffic and three-quarters of its gas supplies.BBC Scotland: “are thought to carry almost all the UK's international data traffic and three-quarters of its gas supplies.”
SupportedThe proposed prison terms are up to 14 years for intentional conduct, 10 years for reckless conduct and two years for grossly negligent conduct.BBC Scotland: “The new powers would be backed up with prison sentences of up to 14 years for intentional conduct, 10 years for reckless conduct and two years for grossly negligent conduct”
SupportedCompanies that refuse government orders could face fines of up to £17 million or 10% of global turnover.BBC Scotland: “Companies that refused to comply with the orders could be fined up to £17m or 10% of global turnover.”
SupportedIn April, the government accused Russian submarines of conducting a covert operation over cables and pipelines north of the UK.BBC Scotland: “In April, the government accused Russian submarines of conducting a covert operation over cables and pipelines in waters north of the UK.”
Partly supportedThe Royal Navy tracked Yantar after it passed near UK waters last year.BBC Scotland: “Last year, it revealed the Royal Navy had tracked one such suspected ship, the Yantar, after it passed near UK waters.”
SupportedRussia accused the UK of stirring up tensions through “anti-Russian alarmism.”BBC Scotland: “Russia has denied the claims, and accused the UK of stirring up tensions through "anti-Russian alarmism".”
Partly supportedThe powers would not initially apply to companies operating energy infrastructure.BBC Scotland: “The proposed powers are not intended to apply to companies operating energy infrastructure”
SupportedExisting Victorian-era laws were designed for telegraphic cables, and their application to modern fibre-optic cables is uncertain.BBC Scotland: “It was also uncertain that existing laws on undersea infrastructure, dating from the Victorian period and designed for telegraphic cables, could be used for breaches of modern fibre-optic cables”