“It is ironic that on the very day the Bureau is making this case against the British government’s surveillance regime in the highest court in Europe, the same government is hosting a global summit on press freedom.”
Book of essays reviews security and spying plans for independent Scotland
TOP ACADEMICS have launched a new series of essays analysing the nature of the security debate in Scotland.
Considering the implications of Scottish independence for defence, wider security policy, and specific policy areas like the intelligence services, the work has been compiled and published in the book ‘Security in a Small Nation: Scotland, Democracy, Politics’ edited by Andrew W. Neal of the University of Edinburgh.
Admission follows revelations over secret Scottish spy system linked to GCHQ
SECRET SURVEILLANCE can take place in Scotland without the knowledge of the domestic police, an assistant chief constable has admitted during evidence to MSPs.
Police Scotland assistant chief constable Steve Johnson, questioned by Green MSP and ex-officer John Finnie, said it was “conceivable” that there are ongoing operations in Scotland that the police would be unaware of.
Scottish Greens and Liberal Democrats raise Snowden leaks in parliament
SCOTLAND’S JUSTICE SECRETARY has said he is confident Police Scotland follow legal surveillance rules – but any questions on secret service mass surveillance should be directed towards the UK home secretary Theresa May.
Government minister Michael Matheson MSP faced questions from John Finnie (Scottish Greens) and Liam McArthur (Liberal Democrats) over the legality of the secret Scottish surveillance system revealed in recent Edward Snowden leaks.
Digital rights campaigner Pol Clementsmith raises concerns over the recent Edward Snowden revelations about Scottish surveillance
THE MAIN ISSUE with the bulk collection of data is the capacity to sift through it in any really meaningful way. Randomly grabbing every little digital byte and bit simply creates a mammoth intelligence iceberg that just keeps on getting bigger and more difficult to fathom. You just end up with too much data and no time to look at it all.
Issue of spying will be raised with the Scottish cabinet secretary for justice
PRO-CIVIL LIBERTIES politicians have raised concerns over the revelations that policing body the Scottish Recording Centre (SRC) had access to mass surveillance from UK secret services.
CommonSpace and The National newspaper team up to reveal what we know about Scotland’s place in the UK spy network
SECRET REPORTS leaked by U.S. whistleblower Edward Snowden have revealed how UK mass surveillance of phone and internet activity was accessed by Scottish police forces.
The documents confirm that a little-known policing body called the Scottish Recording Centre (SRC) was given access to information logs that includes millions of communications data including phone activity, internet histories, and social media behaviour on Facebook.
Snoopers charter faces opposition for concentrating power in secret services
THE SCOTTISH NATIONAL PARTY will oppose UK Government plans to create sweeping new powers for mass surveillance of phone and internet records - but the plans are likely to pass due to Tory support and Labour abstentions.
The Investigatory Powers Bill, dubbed the ‘snooper’s charter’ by critics, has led to outcry from civil liberties campaigners, journalists and political groups after its introduction to parliament.
New leaked documents reveal private Westminster emails are collected and searchable by GCHQ
CONFIDENTIAL EMAILS between parliamentarians and the public have been intercepted and searched by the UK spy agency for years, according to newly released, formerly top secret documents.
Home Office confirms that the prime minister would be consulted on targeting MPs
SNP MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, Paul Monaghan, has seen requests to reveal whether he was spied on by the UK Government denied by the Home Office.