What is Interception of Communication?

    What is Lawful Interception?

    Why the interception of Communication is needed in South Africa?

    Can anybody intercept my communication?

    Who will be intercepted? 

    Who does OIC provide services to?

    What is Interception of Communication?

    It is the action to access communication networks to obtain certain information relayed between two or more people being investigated.

     What is Lawful Interception (LI)?  

Most importantly, interception of communication by law enforcement agency is only lawful if authorized  by a judge. The intercepted data must be transferred to the OIC in a secure format to   avoid  tampering. Information obtained according to the procedure is permissible in court.

Why the interception of communication is needed in South Africa?  

It becomes necessary to intercept the communication of those individuals involved in crimes such as drug, mineral and human smuggling, espionage and international terrorism, for instance. The interception of communication is one of many methods of investigation used by law enforcement agencies.

      Can anybody intercept my communication?

      No person is allowed to intercept any communication at any place in South Africa only law enforcement agencies, that have obtained judicial authorization, are allowed to intercept communication.

      Who will be intercepted? 

      If there is a reason to believe that an individual is involved in crime or has intentions to commit a crime, then the communication of such an individual may be intercepted only after obtaining the permission from a judge.

      Who does OIC provide services to?

      OIC provides its services to all the law enforcement agencies such as, South African Police Services,  National Intelligence Agency, Department of Defense etc.