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Police were given permission to tap phones on the Island fifteen times last year, it’s been revealed.
Interception of Communications Commissioner Clare Faulds gave the figure in her annual report to Tynwald, which is due to be laid before the court later this month.
Mrs Faulds says 12 warrants were issued so police could investigate or prevent serious crime.
But she also says another three warrants were issued for national security purposes.
Warrants for phone taps are authorised by Chief Minister Allan Bell, and the commissioner is in place to make sure permission is given properly.
Mrs Faulds says during 2012 she carried out a random audit of the interception warrants, and found all had been issued in accordance with the law.
In her report, she also reveals the Island’s police force carried out a review of its procedures and guidelines governing phone taps last year.
Mrs Faulds report will go before the court when it sits on May 21.
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