UK threatens subsea cable saboteurs with 14 years in prison

The UK government has proposed replacing an 1885 law on submarine telegraph cables: intentionally damaging critical subsea infrastructure could bring up to 14 years in prison and unlimited fines. Cable operators would face new security duties, and ministers would gain powers to direct them. A 12-week consultation has begun.

• Subsea cables carry 99% of UK international data traffic; pipelines supply 74% of its gas
• The 1885 law capped fines at £100 for damaging a cable
• Cable operators and repair providers would get new security obligations
• The government also wants to regulate fiber-optic sensing technology