IPCO Quarterly Update – Summer 2026

UK — IPCO · 2026-08-26 · UK · verified record

Themes: Cross-sector · National security

| | Summer Engagements This quarter, the Investigatory Powers Commissioner met with: - Graeme Biggar, Director General of the National Crime Agency - Professor William Webster, Biometrics Commissioner - Representatives from the Ministry of Defence - Shehzad Charania, Director of Legal Affairs and International Relations at GCHQ Lord Leveson also attended the European Intelligence Oversight Conference (EIOC) where he presented on using technology to manage the high demand for Communications Data applications, and the International Oversight Working Group (IOWG) meeting in The Netherlands, where he met with Chairperson Kondo from Japan's Active Cyber Defense Oversight Commission. He took part in an interview with the International Bar Association, discussing his career and his role as IPC, available to watch here. Lord Leveson also held his annual NGO roundtable, welcoming Liberty, Reprieve, Privacy International, Open Rights Group and Big Brother Watch for a wide-ranging and constructive discussion about IPCO's work protecting privacy and civil liberties. | | | | | Investigatory Powers Commissioner, Lord Leveson, and Chief Executive, Richard Thompson with Japan Active Cyber Defense Oversight Commission | | Investigatory Powers Commissioner, Lord Leveson, and Director of Legal Affairs and International Relations at GCHQ, Shehzad Charania | | | IPCO Policy and Organisational Updates Agent X Investigation Report: the Investigatory Powers Commissioner has published the report of Sir John Goldring's independent investigation into the Agent X case, examining the circumstances that led to false evidence being provided to the High Court and the Investigatory Powers Tribunal. Read the full report here. Communications Data: Since 2017, IPCO has processed more than two million communications data applications, reflecting the significant scale of communications data use by public authorities and the ongoing importance of independent oversight. Annual Report 2025: IPCO has submitted its 2025 Annual Report to His Majesty's Government, with publication expected in autumn. IPCO Conference: IPCO will host its 2026 conference in November, bringing together stakeholders from across authorisations, oversight, government and civil society. Further details will follow soon.…