Intelligence service GCHQ can snoop on British citizens’ use of Facebook and Google without an individual warrant, revealed the UK government.
Since the firms are based overseas, the services are classified as external communications, informed Charles Farr, director general of the Office of Security and Counter-Terrorism.
The policy was revealed as part of a continuing legal battle with campaign group Privacy International (PI), BBC reported.
- Since the firms are based overseas, the services are classified as external communications, informed Charles Farr, director general of the Office of Security and Counter-Terrorism
PI said the interpretation of the law “patronises the British people”.
It is for the first time that the UK government has commented how its legal framework allows such mass interception of communications as outlined by US whistleblower Edward Snowden, reported BBC.
The former National Security Agency contractor revealed extensive details of internet and phone snooping and has since fled the US and sought temporary asylum in Russia.
The UK spy boss told PI that Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and web searches on Google – as well as webmail services such as Hotmail and Yahoo – are classified as “external communications”, which means that they can be intercepted without the need for additional legal clearance.