Surveillance and Oversight in the UK: A Conversation with Sir Adrian Fulford, UK Investigatory Powers Commissioner

Last year, the United Kingdom passed the Investigatory Powers Bill, which codifies the British government's domestic surveillance authorities.  The bill touches some of the most important and contentious issues in digital-age surveillance debates: encryption, government hacking, bulk collection, and judicial oversight.  In some quarters, the bill was praised as a necessary response to the grave terrorist threat facing the UK; in others, it was criticized as a threat to civil liberties and privacy.

The bill requires that surveillance orders be authorized and overseen by a group of "judicial commissioners," headed by an Investigatory Powers Commissioner.  This marks the first time that judges will be involved in authorizing national-security surveillance in the UK.  In March, Prime Minister Theresa May appointed Lord Justice Adrian Fulford the first Investigatory Powers Commissioner.

The event will feature remarks by Lord Justice Fulford, followed by audience Q&A.