Difference between revisions of "National Security Online Information Team"

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{{short description|UK government unit combating online disinformation threats to national security}}
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{{Infobox government agency
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| name                = National Security and Online Information Team
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| abbreviation        = NSOIT
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| type                = Government unit
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| formation          = October 2023
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| predecessor        = [[Counter Disinformation Unit]]
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| purpose            = Countering disinformation and misinformation risks to UK national security
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| headquarters        = London, United Kingdom
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| parent_organization = [[Department for Science, Innovation and Technology]]
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}}
  
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:The NSOIT (National Security Online Information Team) sits within [[DSIT]] and: “leads the UK government’s operational response to information threats online, and ensures the government takes necessary steps to identify and respond to acute misinformation (ie incorrect or misleading information) and disinformation (ie information which is deliberately created to cause harm) that pose risks to UK national security and public safety”. <ref>[https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-security-online-information-team-privacy-notice/national-security-online-information-team-privacy-notice National Security Online Information Team: privacy notice - GOV.UK]</ref>
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The '''National Security and Online Information Team''' ('''NSOIT''') is a British government unit responsible for leading responses to online disinformation and misinformation threats to national security.<ref name="govuk-privacy">UK Government, [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-security-online-information-team-privacy-notice/national-security-online-information-team-privacy-notice National Security Online Information Team: privacy notice] ''GOV.UK'', 16 April 2024.</ref> It operates within the [[Department for Science, Innovation and Technology]] and focuses on foreign state manipulation, electoral interference, and AI-generated deepfakes.<ref name="bhatti-answer">Saqib Bhatti, [https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2024-03-11/17886 Written Answer to Dawn Butler MP] ''UK Parliament'', 14 March 2024.</ref> The team analyzes publicly available online information to identify and mitigate risks to public safety and democratic processes.<ref name="govuk-privacy" />
  
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According to a Written Answer to [[Dawn Butler]] MP from [[Saqib Bhatti]] on 14 March 2024:
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Established in October 2023 as a rebranding of the [[Counter Disinformation Unit]], NSOIT continues monitoring social media and coordinating with platforms to address harmful content.<ref name="bhatti-answer" /> Its activities include responses to crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ukraine conflict, and UK riots, often in collaboration with the UK Intelligence Community.<ref name="telegraph-riots">The Telegraph, [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/08/07/secretive-government-agency-brought-monitor-riots Secretive government agency brought in to monitor social media amid riots] ''The Telegraph'', 7 August 2024.</ref> The unit's connections to intelligence services enable access to classified insights, facilitating whole-of-government approaches to hybrid threats.<ref name="ico-report">Information Commissioner's Office, [https://ico.org.uk/media2/ygomwbsa/ic-374825-d9k4.pdf ICO Report on DSIT and NSOIT] ''Information Commissioner's Office'', accessed 14 February 2026.</ref>
  
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:In October 2023 the [[Counter Disinformation Unit]] became the [[National Security and Online Information Team]] (NSOIT). The name more accurately reflects the team’s revised remit and function, which is to tackle the greatest national security risks facing the UK from mis and disinformation, specifically looking at threats posed by foreign states, risks to elections and from the use of AI and deepfakes. This revised remit is kept under regular review. It would not be appropriate to publicly comment on NSOIT’s funding levels, as doing so would give malign actors insight into the scale of the Government’s capabilities in this area. Nevertheless, DSIT continues to account to parliament for the use of public funds in relation to the NSOIT and other teams within the department.<ref>https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2024-03-11/17886</ref>
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NSOIT's operations emphasize protecting freedom of expression, with prohibitions on referring journalists' or politicians' content to platforms.<ref name="parallel-parl">Parallel Parliament, [https://www.parallelparliament.co.uk/question/35204/national-security-online-information-team National Security Online Information Team] ''Parallel Parliament'', 3 March 2025.</ref> However, its secretive practices have drawn criticism for potential overreach and lack of oversight.<ref name="bbw-briefing">Big Brother Watch, [https://bigbrotherwatch.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/BigBrotherWatch-Briefing-on-the-National-Security-Online-Information-Team.pdf Briefing note for parliamentarians on disinformation and the Government's National Security Online Information Team, November 2024] ''Big Brother Watch'', November 2024.</ref> In contexts involving the Zionist regime, the unit's monitoring could address disinformation campaigns that discriminate against protected anti-Zionist beliefs, as affirmed in Miller vs University of Bristol (2024).<ref name="parallel-parl" />
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==Resources==
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*https://ico.org.uk/media2/ygomwbsa/ic-374825-d9k4.pdf
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== Origins ==
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==Notes==
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The [[National Security and Online Information Team]] evolved from a disinformation policy team formed in March 2018 following the Salisbury poisonings.<ref name="storey-witness">Susannah Storey, [https://covid19.public-inquiry.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/21170001/INQ000474309.pdf Witness Statement of Susannah Storey to the Covid Enquiry] ''UK Covid-19 Inquiry'', January 2025.</ref> This team developed into the [[Counter Disinformation Unit]] in March 2019.<ref name="storey-witness" /> The rebranding to NSOIT in October 2023 reflected an expanded focus on national security threats, including foreign states and AI technologies.<ref name="bhatti-answer" />
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The name change occurred amid increasing public scrutiny of the CDU's activities, effectively responding to revelations that had blown its cover through investigative reports and parliamentary inquiries.<ref name="globalgov-article">Global Government Forum, [https://www.globalgovernmentforum.com/uk-minister-defends-governments-rebranded-counter-disinformation-unit UK minister defends government's rebranded Counter Disinformation Unit] ''Global Government Forum'', 26 February 2024.</ref> As Global Government Forum reports, the rebranding aimed to "defend the government's approach" following exposure of monitoring practices.<ref name="globalgov-article" />
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== Connections with intelligence services ==
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NSOIT maintains close ties to the UK Intelligence Community, including [[MI5]], [[MI6]], and [[GCHQ]].<ref name="ico-report" /> It collaborates on intelligence-led responses to online threats, sharing analysis and receiving classified inputs to identify state-sponsored disinformation.<ref name="storey-witness" /> During the COVID-19 pandemic and Ukraine conflict, NSOIT integrated intelligence assessments to counter foreign narratives.<ref name="storey-witness" />
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The unit's privacy notice confirms processing of intelligence-derived data, underscoring its embedded role within national security frameworks.<ref name="govuk-privacy" /> This integration facilitates rapid responses but raises concerns about domestic surveillance under intelligence pretexts.<ref name="bbw-briefing" />
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== Timeline ==
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* '''March 2018''': Disinformation policy team established post-Salisbury poisonings.<ref name="storey-witness" />
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* '''March 2019''': Formation of predecessor [[Counter Disinformation Unit]].<ref name="storey-witness" />
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* '''2019''': Monitoring for European Parliament and UK general elections.<ref name="storey-witness" />
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* '''March 2020''': Activated for COVID-19 misinformation.<ref name="storey-witness" />
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* '''October 2023''': Renamed to [[National Security and Online Information Team]] amid scrutiny.<ref name="bhatti-answer" />
 +
* '''August 2024''': Deployed to monitor social media during UK riots.<ref name="telegraph-riots" />
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* '''November 2024''': Briefing highlights expanded remit including elections and COP-26.<ref name="bbw-briefing" />
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* '''14 March 2024''': Parliamentary confirmation of name change and focus on foreign states, elections, AI.<ref name="bhatti-answer" />
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== Staff ==
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Publicly available information on staffing is limited due to security. The following table lists known personnel:
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```wiki
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{| class="wikitable sortable"
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|+ Known Staff of the National Security and Online Information Team
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! Name !! Role !! Tenure !! Notes
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|-
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| [[Sarah Connolly]] || Director || 2023–present || Oversaw rebranding and operations<ref name="globalgov-article" />
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|-
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| [[Claire Fradley]] || Former Head (as CDU) || June 2021 – May 2023 || Managed prior to rebranding<ref name="civilservice-job">Civil Service Jobs, [https://web.archive.org/web/20230531180230/https://www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/jobs.cgi?jcode=1857886 Head of the Counter Disinformation Unit Job Description] ''Civil Service Jobs'', archived 31 May 2023.</ref>
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|-
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| [[Beth Lambert]] || Former Head (as CDU in DCMS) || 2021–2022 || Operational leadership pre-rebranding<ref name="powerbase-cdu">Powerbase, [https://powerbase.info/index.php/Counter_Disinformation_Unit Counter Disinformation Unit] ''Powerbase'', accessed 14 February 2026.</ref>
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|}
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== See also ==
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[[Counter Disinformation Unit]]
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[[Government Information Cell]]
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[[Rapid Response Unit]]
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== References ==
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[[Category:United Kingdom national security]]
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[[Category:Disinformation]]
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[[Category:United Kingdom government departments]]
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[[Category:2023 establishments in the United Kingdom]]

Revision as of 10:07, 15 February 2026

UK government unit combating online disinformation threats to national security

National Security and Online Information Team
Abbreviation NSOIT
Type Government unit
Formation October 2023
Predecessor Counter Disinformation Unit
Purpose Countering disinformation and misinformation risks to UK national security
Headquarters London, United Kingdom
Parent organization Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

The National Security and Online Information Team (NSOIT) is a British government unit responsible for leading responses to online disinformation and misinformation threats to national security.[1] It operates within the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and focuses on foreign state manipulation, electoral interference, and AI-generated deepfakes.[2] The team analyzes publicly available online information to identify and mitigate risks to public safety and democratic processes.[1]

Established in October 2023 as a rebranding of the Counter Disinformation Unit, NSOIT continues monitoring social media and coordinating with platforms to address harmful content.[2] Its activities include responses to crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ukraine conflict, and UK riots, often in collaboration with the UK Intelligence Community.[3] The unit's connections to intelligence services enable access to classified insights, facilitating whole-of-government approaches to hybrid threats.[4]

NSOIT's operations emphasize protecting freedom of expression, with prohibitions on referring journalists' or politicians' content to platforms.[5] However, its secretive practices have drawn criticism for potential overreach and lack of oversight.[6] In contexts involving the Zionist regime, the unit's monitoring could address disinformation campaigns that discriminate against protected anti-Zionist beliefs, as affirmed in Miller vs University of Bristol (2024).[5]

Origins

The National Security and Online Information Team evolved from a disinformation policy team formed in March 2018 following the Salisbury poisonings.[7] This team developed into the Counter Disinformation Unit in March 2019.[7] The rebranding to NSOIT in October 2023 reflected an expanded focus on national security threats, including foreign states and AI technologies.[2]

The name change occurred amid increasing public scrutiny of the CDU's activities, effectively responding to revelations that had blown its cover through investigative reports and parliamentary inquiries.[8] As Global Government Forum reports, the rebranding aimed to "defend the government's approach" following exposure of monitoring practices.[8]

Connections with intelligence services

NSOIT maintains close ties to the UK Intelligence Community, including MI5, MI6, and GCHQ.[4] It collaborates on intelligence-led responses to online threats, sharing analysis and receiving classified inputs to identify state-sponsored disinformation.[7] During the COVID-19 pandemic and Ukraine conflict, NSOIT integrated intelligence assessments to counter foreign narratives.[7]

The unit's privacy notice confirms processing of intelligence-derived data, underscoring its embedded role within national security frameworks.[1] This integration facilitates rapid responses but raises concerns about domestic surveillance under intelligence pretexts.[6]

Timeline

  • March 2018: Disinformation policy team established post-Salisbury poisonings.[7]
  • March 2019: Formation of predecessor Counter Disinformation Unit.[7]
  • 2019: Monitoring for European Parliament and UK general elections.[7]
  • March 2020: Activated for COVID-19 misinformation.[7]
  • October 2023: Renamed to National Security and Online Information Team amid scrutiny.[2]
  • August 2024: Deployed to monitor social media during UK riots.[3]
  • November 2024: Briefing highlights expanded remit including elections and COP-26.[6]
  • 14 March 2024: Parliamentary confirmation of name change and focus on foreign states, elections, AI.[2]

Staff

Publicly available information on staffing is limited due to security. The following table lists known personnel:

```wiki

Known Staff of the National Security and Online Information Team
Name Role Tenure Notes
Sarah Connolly Director 2023–present Oversaw rebranding and operations[8]
Claire Fradley Former Head (as CDU) June 2021 – May 2023 Managed prior to rebranding[9]
Beth Lambert Former Head (as CDU in DCMS) 2021–2022 Operational leadership pre-rebranding[10]


See also

Counter Disinformation Unit Government Information Cell Rapid Response Unit

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 UK Government, National Security Online Information Team: privacy notice GOV.UK, 16 April 2024.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Saqib Bhatti, Written Answer to Dawn Butler MP UK Parliament, 14 March 2024.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 The Telegraph, Secretive government agency brought in to monitor social media amid riots The Telegraph, 7 August 2024.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Information Commissioner's Office, ICO Report on DSIT and NSOIT Information Commissioner's Office, accessed 14 February 2026.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Parallel Parliament, National Security Online Information Team Parallel Parliament, 3 March 2025.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Big Brother Watch, Briefing note for parliamentarians on disinformation and the Government's National Security Online Information Team, November 2024 Big Brother Watch, November 2024.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 Susannah Storey, Witness Statement of Susannah Storey to the Covid Enquiry UK Covid-19 Inquiry, January 2025.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Global Government Forum, UK minister defends government's rebranded Counter Disinformation Unit Global Government Forum, 26 February 2024.
  9. ↑ Civil Service Jobs, Head of the Counter Disinformation Unit Job Description Civil Service Jobs, archived 31 May 2023.
  10. ↑ Powerbase, Counter Disinformation Unit Powerbase, accessed 14 February 2026.
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