UK threatens subsea cable saboteurs with 14 years behind bars

The UK government is planning to overhaul outdated laws dating back to 1885 in order to impose harsher penalties for those who damage subsea cables and pipelines that are critical to the country's internet and energy supplies. Under the proposed legislation, individuals who intentionally damage these vital connections could face up to 14 years in prison and unlimited fines, a significant increase from the original £100 maximum fine for culpable negligence under the Submarine Telegraph Act 1885.

The regulations aim to address the fact that much of Britain's subsea infrastructure is protected by outdated laws that were designed for a very different technological landscape. Telecoms Minister Ian Murray emphasized that the threat landscape has evolved, citing recent Russian military activity near critical undersea infrastructure.

The government also plans to regulate fiber-optic sensing technology and grant ministers greater powers to direct operators to take necessary security measures. While Russia is a primary concern, fishing boats and ships caused most of the damage to subsea cables, accounting for up to 97 percent of faults. However, capturing and prosecuting those responsible remains a challenge, particularly when the crime scene is underwater.

The government has opened a 12-week consultation on the proposed changes before deciding on the final course of action.