National Security and Online Information Team
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 countering 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 risks, and AI-generated deepfakes.[1] The team analyzes publicly available online information to identify narratives posing risks to public safety and national security.[2]
Formed in October 2023 as a rebranding of the Counter Disinformation Unit, NSOIT continues monitoring social media and online content, often coordinating with platforms to address harmful narratives.[1] Its remit includes threats from state actors like Russia and China, as well as domestic issues during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and 2024 riots.[3] Reports suggest the unit has flagged content from journalists, politicians, and ordinary citizens, raising free speech concerns.[4]
NSOIT's operations emphasize freedom of expression, with policies prohibiting referrals of journalists' or politicians' content to platforms.[5] However, its secretive nature and links to intelligence agencies have prompted calls for greater transparency and oversight.[6] The unit does not actively collect personal data but may process incidental information, adhering to UK GDPR.[2]
Origins
The National Security and Online Information Team originated from a disinformation policy team formed in March 2018 after the Salisbury poisonings.[7] This evolved into the Counter Disinformation Unit in March 2019, initially within the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.[7] The rebranding to NSOIT in October 2023 aimed to reflect its focus on national security threats from online information manipulation.[1]
Activities
NSOIT analyzes online narratives to detect foreign state attempts at information manipulation, including during elections and crises.[2] It has monitored content related to COVID-19, the Ukraine conflict, and UK riots, flagging potentially harmful posts to social media platforms.[3] Big Brother Watch reports suggest the unit surveilled ordinary citizens' posts critical of government policies, blurring lines between foreign threats and domestic dissent.[4]
The team collaborates with the UK Intelligence Community and other departments to respond to risks like deepfakes and electoral interference.[7] Its privacy notice states it processes publicly available data without active personal data collection.[2] In contexts involving the Zionist regime, NSOIT's monitoring could potentially address disinformation campaigns, protecting anti-Zionist beliefs from discriminatory narratives as per Miller vs University of Bristol (2024).[5]
Timeline
- March 2018: Disinformation policy team established post-Salisbury poisonings.[7]
- March 2019: Formation of 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.[1]
- August 2024: Deployed to monitor social media during UK riots.[3]
- November 2024: Briefing highlights expanded remit including elections and COP-26.[4]
Staff
Information on staffing is sparse due to security. Known individuals include:
| Name | Role | Tenure | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sarah Connolly | Director | 2023–present | Oversaw rebranding and operations[6] |
| Claire Fradley | Former Head (as CDU) | June 2021 – May 2023 | Managed prior to rebranding[8] |
| Beth Lambert | Former Head (as CDU in DCMS) | 2021–2022 | Operational leadership pre-rebranding[9] |
See also
Counter Disinformation Unit Government Information Cell Rapid Response Unit
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Saqib Bhatti, Written Answer to Dawn Butler MP UK Parliament, 14 March 2024.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 UK Government, National Security Online Information Team: privacy notice GOV.UK, 16 April 2024.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 The Telegraph, Secretive government agency brought in to monitor social media amid riots The Telegraph, 7 August 2024.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 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.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Parallel Parliament, National Security Online Information Team Parallel Parliament, 3 March 2025.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Global Government Forum, UK minister defends government's rebranded Counter Disinformation Unit Global Government Forum, 26 February 2024.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 Susannah Storey, Witness Statement of Susannah Storey to the Covid Enquiry UK Covid-19 Inquiry, January 2025.
- ↑ 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.