Part 3: Authorisations for obtaining communications data Schedule 4: Relevant public authorities
Column 1 of the table in Part 1 of this Schedule lists all the authorities that are able to acquire communications data. Column 2 provides a minimum rank for designated senior officers. These are the staff within the relevant public authorities that are able to authorise the acquisition of communications data. Columns 3 and 4 provide the types of data that each designated senior officer is able to authorise the acquisition of and the statutory purposes, listed in section 61(7), for which it can be accessed.
	Many authorities are only able to acquire communications data for the purpose of preventing or detecting crime or of preventing disorder. Certain purposes only apply to certain authorities. For example, the purpose of exercising functions relating to the regulation of financial services and markets or to financial stability only applies to the Financial Conduct Authority.
	Some authorities have two designated senior officers at different ranks. This is because 'entity' data is generally less intrusive than 'events' data and can therefore be acquired at a lower authorisation level. For example, in police forces, an Inspector can authorise acquisition of 'entity' data, whereas a Superintendent can authorise acquisition of all types of communications data. Where only one rank of designated senior officer is provided for, that rank is deemed to be senior enough to authorise acquisition of all types of communications data. Entity and events data are defined in section 261.