Also, one can argue that it's a good thing in general that our intelligence and security services' activities are regulated by laws like this (instead of operat

Also, one can argue that it's a good thing in general that our intelligence and security services' activities are regulated by laws like this (instead of operating in grey areas beyond the law). And, by the way, activities carried out by the UK's intelligence and security services OUTSIDE the UK are also subject to RIPA.