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GCHQ chief: Tech firms 'in denial about online terrorism'

The new director at GCHQ Robert Hannigan has accused internet firms of being "in denial" of the role their networks play in terrorism and demanded they open themselves up more to intelligence services.

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'Wrong' to say internet firms 'don't help investigations'

Civil liberties and privacy group, Big Brother Watch, have condemned the head of GCHQ Robert Hannigan for his criticism of internet firms being "in denial" about the role their products play in terrorism and other criminality.

Civil liberties group Big Brother Watch say it is wholly wrong to say that firms don't help intelligence agencies. Credit: Reuters

It is wholly wrong to state that internet companies are failing to assist in investigations. The Government and agencies have consistently failed to provide evidence that internet companies are being actively obstructive.

These companies have consistently proved through their own transparency reports that they help the intelligence agencies when it is appropriate for them to do so, which is in the vast majority of cases.

Public debate on this issue would make the country stronger and more unified, yet we have so far failed to achieve this in the UK. Perpetuating falsehoods about the nature of relations between internet companies and the intelligence agencies is certainly not going to help.

– Emma Carr, director of Big Brother Watch

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