UK Home Office Faces Legal Challenges Over Seized Mobile Phones
The UK's Home Office is facing legal claims from asylum seekers who had their mobile phones seized during 2020.
The surveillance watchdog, the Investigatory Powers Commissioner's Office, found that a blanket policy causing "significant harm" was implemented, and notified affected individuals of their right to bring a case before the specialized surveillance tribunal.
The IPCO also stated that significant harm and prejudice was suffered due to the actions of immigration officials.
The high court had previously ruled that the policy was unlawful.
The Home Office referred itself to the IPCO, which conducted its own investigation and found that the immigration enforcement officers had unlawfully required asylum seekers to disclose phone pins.
The IPCO, headed by Sir Brian Leveson, has written to those affected but does not have contact details for everyone.
Lawyers are considering the implications and advise seeking legal advice.
The Investigatory Powers Tribunal is a special judicial body that investigates complaints against intelligence services and public authorities that use investigatory powers.