British NGO Sues GCHQ Over Unlawful Utilization of Malware
Privacy International (PI) an NGO based in UK has filed a suit against GCHQ (Government Communications Headquarters) the spying agency of Britain alleging that the agency illegally created and used malware to hack into PCs' microphones and cameras from remote devoid of taking users' permission, published theguardian.com dated May 13, 2014.
On May 13, 2014, the NGO legally challenged from Investigatory Powers Tribunal that summons outlawing hacking methods claimed as being far more invasive compared to tapping of communications.
Moreover, it was alleged that the way GCHQ collected data infringed upon the European Convention on Human Rights' Articles 8 & 10 wherein the articles ensure the right for keeping desired things private and safeguarding right to free expression, respectively.
PI submitted the allegation after Edward Snowden a whistleblower leaked out that GCHQ and the National Security Agency, the US eavesdropping agency, both conducted mass surveillance activities.
The allegation submitted within a 21-page document puts in a thorough manner the various malware programs used having names as mysterious as Dreamy Smurf, Gumfish, Warrior Pride, Captivatedaudience and Foggybottom.
The types of intrusive monitoring indicated in the case show how intelligence agencies manage in accessing highly sensitive and personal info regarding a person's life like gender, age, location, ethnicity, marital status, family relationships, sexual orientation, health information, private communications, education, finances as also possibly his/her most intimate thinking.
PI demanded that it be declared that GCHQ's "hijacking of PCs as well as mobile gadgets was illegal," together with an injunction "halting anymore illegal operation," as well as an order that "Intel garnered illicitly should be destroyed."
While this time GCHQ made no comment vis-à-vis PI, in a previous instance of similar intrusion into people's PCs and cell-phones, the central surveillance agency stated that it conducted all its activities as per stringent framework of policy and legal issues that made the activities proportionate, essential and legitimate as well as that there was thorough supervision by the parliamentary committee for security and intelligence, the intelligence services and interception officials, and the state's secretary; adding that every operational process of the agency thoroughly maintained the enumerated position.
» SPAMfighter News - 5/27/2014
