The director of a civil liberties group called the move a ‘superficial rebrand,’ with one commentator labelling it ‘disinformation,’ as the unit changes tack
The Government has renamed its Counter-Disinformation Unit (CDU) to the National Security Online Information Team (NSOIT) amid allegations of suppressing free speech.
In July, the government defended its CDU, addressing concerns that labelled it as “Orwellian-sounding” and “suspicious,” by asserting that it does not monitor individuals or make referrals to social media companies.
Linked to intelligence agencies, the NSOIT is reportedly now focused on combating the deliberate spreading of false information by foreign states, marking a shift from its pandemic-era activities.
The original CDU was an initiative established to combat the spread of false or misleading information, particularly on digital platforms and social media. It aimed to address the rising challenges associated with disinformation campaigns, misinformation, and ‘fake news’ that can influence public opinion, create social unrest, or undermine trust in institutions.
The CDU was set up to safeguard the public from the harmful effects of perceived…
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