The Independent (UK) is reporting that computer, smartphone, and network hacking by UK intelligence agency GCHQ is legal, a security tribunal has said.
The Investigatory Powers Tribunal ruled on recently that “computer network exploitation (CNE) – which can include remotely activating microphones and cameras on electronic devices such as iPhones without the owner’s knowledge – is legal.”
According to the Independent, “The case, which was heard in 2015, was the first time that GCHQ admitted to carrying out hacking in the UK and overseas. Previously, their policy had been to “neither confirm nor deny”. The IPT, which deals with complaints about surveillance and the intelligence services, found in favour of the Cheltenham-based monitoring agency and the Foreign Office. The ruling comes after Campaigners Privacy International’s legal challenge claiming GCHQ’s hacking operations are too intrusive and break European law. Whistleblower Edward Snowden described the spying agency as “worse than the US”. The case cannot be appealed to any higher UK court, but it could be taken to Europe.”
