Call monitoring

Our networks hold much location-based information and in the UK we are required by law, under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) 2000, to work with police, within their powers, or by request from the Secretary of State.

Under RIPA, police need a general warrant to access mobile phone content, such as text messages or pictures.

Apart from incidents involving crime, national safety and security, we intervene to help trace a person only in matters of life or death. For example, we have been able to trace and help to rescue people who have called emergency numbers to report a suicide attempt.

Our Emergency Liaison Unit configures the O2 network to provide the emergency authorities with the location of a 999 caller. In a life-or-death situation, where the call is ended prematurely, the unit will also provide the subscriber’s details in accordance with the regulator’s rules.