Part 7: Bulk personal dataset warrants Section 204: Class BPD warrants
This section explains how the class BPD warrant authorisation process works. A class BPD warrant will authorise the retention and examination of datasets that can be said to fall into a class because they are of a similar type and raise similar considerations (for instance in relation to the degree of intrusion and sensitivity, and the proportionality of using the data). This would, for example, allow the Secretary of State to authorise a class of dataset relating to travel where these conditions were met.
	Subsection (2) specifies what an application for a class BPD warrant must include – a description of the class of bulk personal datasets and the operational purposes for which it is proposed to examine datasets of that class.
	Subsection (3) explains that a Secretary of State can issue a class BPD warrant (thus enabling the retention and examination of datasets of that class) if he or she believes that the warrant is necessary (for the standard reasons of national security etc.) and proportionate, and that satisfactory handling measures (protective security measures, for example) are in place. The Secretary of State must also consider that each operational purpose specified in the warrant is one for which the examination of bulk personal datasets to which the application relates is or may be necessary, and that the examination of those datasets for such an operational purpose is necessary for the statutory purposes set out in subsection (3)(a). In addition, a Judicial Commissioner must have approved the Secretary of State’s decision to issue a warrant before the warrant can be issued.
	Subsection (4) makes clear that the fact that the information that would be retained or retained and examined under the warrant relates to the activities in the British Islands of a trade union is not, of itself, sufficient to establish that the warrant is necessary on the grounds on which warrants may be issued by the Secretary of State.