Security News > 2020 > December > UK proposes new powers for comms regulator to legally unleash avenging hordes on security-breached telcos

Britain's Telecommunications Security Bill will allow anyone to sue their telco if they suffer "Loss or damage" as a result of a system breach - but only if they get Ofcom's permission.

Buried in the details away from the China-bashing stuff is a potentially heavy stick to be wielded by telco regulator Ofcom, pitting baying crowds against telecoms operators.

The new situation opens telcos up to civil litigation.

Clause 8 of the bill [PDF] would allow anyone who suffered "Loss or damage" as a result of a security breach by a "Provider of a public electronic communications network" to sue that operator.

We have asked Ofcom for comment on this potential new power for it to wield but the regulator declined to comment, as did MobileUK, the trade association for mobile network operators.

News URL

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2020/12/16/telco_security_bill_sueball_power/