# Crime and Policing Act 2026, Section 239: Prevention and investigation measures: online information

Extent: E+W+S+N.I.
Status: prospective

(1) Paragraph 7 of Schedule 1 to the Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures Act 2011 (terrorism prevention and investigation measures: electronic communication devices) is amended as follows.
(2) In sub-paragraph (4), after paragraph (e) insert—
“(ea) the inspection of any online account accessed by means of a device;”.
(3) After sub-paragraph (4) insert—
“(4A) The “inspection” of a device, or an online account accessed by means of a device, includes—
(a) accessing the device or the online account,
(b) examining information held on the device or accessed by means of the online account, and
(c) extracting such information.”
(4) After sub-paragraph (6) insert—
“(7) An “online account” means an account by means of which information held on a service provided by means of the internet is made accessible.
(8) The reference in this paragraph to “extracting” information includes reproducing it in any form.”
(5) Paragraph 8 of Schedule 7 to the National Security Act 2023 (prevention and investigation measures: electronic communication devices) is amended as follows.
(6) In sub-paragraph (4), after paragraph (e) insert—
“(ea) the inspection of any online account accessed by means of a device;”.
(7) After sub-paragraph (4) insert—
“(4A) The “inspection” of a device, or an online account accessed by means of a device, includes—
(a) accessing the device or the online account,
(b) examining information held on the device or accessed by means of the online account, and
(c) extracting such information.”
(8) After sub-paragraph (6)—
“(7) An “online account” means an account by means of which information held on a service provided by means of the internet is made accessible.
(8) The reference in this paragraph to “extracting” information includes reproducing it in any form.”

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2026/20/section/239 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/crime-and-policing-act-2026/section-239
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.