National Security Online Information Team
UK government unit combating alleged online disinformation threats to national security
| National Security and Online Information Team | |
| Abbreviation | NSOIT |
|---|---|
| Type | Government unit |
| Formation | October 2023 |
| Predecessor | Counter Disinformation Cell/Counter Disinformation Unit |
| Purpose | Countering alleged 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:
| 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] |
- Andy Pryce - reportedly attached to the CDU while publicly in an FCDO post in Brussels.
See also
Counter Disinformation Unit Government Information Cell Rapid Response Unit
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 UK Government, National Security Online Information Team: privacy notice GOV.UK, 16 April 2024.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Saqib Bhatti, Written Answer to Dawn Butler MP UK Parliament, 14 March 2024.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 The Telegraph, Secretive government agency brought in to monitor social media amid riots The Telegraph, 7 August 2024.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Information Commissioner's Office, ICO Report on DSIT and NSOIT Information Commissioner's Office, accessed 14 February 2026.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Parallel Parliament, National Security Online Information Team Parallel Parliament, 3 March 2025.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 7.0 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.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Global Government Forum, UK minister defends government's rebranded Counter Disinformation Unit Global Government Forum, 26 February 2024.
- ↑ Civil Service Jobs, Head of the Counter Disinformation Unit Job Description Civil Service Jobs, archived 31 May 2023.
- ↑ Powerbase, Counter Disinformation Unit Powerbase, accessed 14 February 2026.