GCHQ spying on social medias

The Government Communications Headquarters is allowed to monitor citizens’ use of sites without warrants because of UK’s espionage rules.

The head of Government’s Office for Security and Counter Terrorism, Charles Farr, has clarified that data send on those services was classed as “external” rather than “internal” communications.

Britain regards cyberspace as “a top-tier national security priority”, after a cabinet member revealed that a “state sponsored” group had recently hacked into the British government’s own internal network.

Top counter-terrorism official says because sites like Facebook, Google and Twitter are not based in UK, the electronic spy agency are allowed to consistently monitor and intercept online communications on those who use US-based platforms.

Civil liberties organisations believe the rules were too imprecise, and allowed for mass surveillance.

“The security services consider that they’re entitled to read, listen to and analyse all our communication, If there was any remaining doubt that our snooping laws need a radical overhaul, there can be no longer.” said James Welch,  director of human rights group Liberty.

Mr Farr also announced the plan to share classified cyber threat information with private companies.