UK Targets Stronger Laws to Protect Subsea Cables from Russian Interference
Britain Proposes Tougher Penalties and Measures for Subsea Cable Protection
By Paul Sandle
LONDON, May 29 (Reuters) - 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.
The Importance of Subsea Cables to the UK
Subsea cables carry over 99% of international data traffic, underpinning more than £1.4 trillion in British financial transactions daily as well as calls, messaging and other internet services.
Recent Russian Activities and UK Response
Last month, Britain said it had exposed a covert Russian submarine operation in and around UK waters that was a bluff to hide other specialist vessels active near critical underwater infrastructure.
Government Statements and Legislative Overhaul
Telecoms minister Liz Lloyd said Britain had strong military capabilities to protect cables, but overhauling 140-year-old legislation would remove a legal "grey zone" around suspected malicious activity to increase deterrence.
Speech Highlights and Planned Actions
"As hostile activity by Russia and others grows, protecting these cables matters more than ever for our economy, security and daily lives," she said in a speech at the Royal United Services Institute on Friday.
"That is why we plan to go further with tougher penalties for reckless damage, stronger security obligations and new powers to respond quickly when incidents happen."
Russian Denials and Expanded Legal Coverage
Russia has previously denied British claims that it had targeted or threatened subsea cables.
Lloyd said sabotage by a hostile state already carried a penalty of life imprisonment for those involved, but the new laws would cover the use of proxies by state actors and reckless damage.
Collaborative Measures and Industry Consultation
The government would also work with cable operators and owners to reduce accidental damage arising from fishing activity or vessels dragging anchors, which accounted for nearly all cable outages, she said.
It was consulting the industry on establishing a British-flagged repair ship to increase resilience, Lloyd said, adding that a decision would be made later this year.
Environmental Considerations and Future Steps
The government would also review environmental red tape to speed up the laying of new cables, particularly in deep waters where the impact on marine life was extremely limited, she added.
(Reporting by Paul Sandle; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)
