[TheGuardian] GCHQ chief accuses US tech giants of becoming terrorists’ ‘networks of choice’

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New director of UK eavesdropping agency accuses US tech firms of becoming ‘networks of choice’ for terrorists […]

Robert Hannigan said a new generation of freely available technology has helped groups like Islamic State (Isis) to hide from the security services and accuses major tech firms of being “in denial”, going further than his predecessor in seeking to claim that the leaks of Edward Snowden have aided terror networks. […]

Among the advocates of privacy protection who reacted to Hannigan’s comments, the deputy director of Privacy International, Eric King, said: “It’s disappointing to see GCHQ’s new director refer to the internet – the greatest tool for innovation, access to education and communication humankind has ever known – as a command-and-control network for terrorists.” […]

Jillian York, director of international free expression at EFF said: “A special “deal” between governments and companies isn’t necessary – law enforcement can conduct open source intelligence on publicly-posted content on social networks, and can already place legal requests with respect to users. Allowing governments special access to private content is not only a violation of privacy, it may also serve to drive terrorists underground, making the job of law enforcement even more difficult.” […]

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/nov/03/privacy-gchq-spying-robert-hannigan