Government Renames Counter-Disinformation Unit Amid Free Speech Concerns

The director of a civil liberties group called the move a ’superficial rebrand,‘ with one commentator labelling it ’disinformation,' as the unit changes tack

'Big Brother' watches over Brentford, London, on March 20, 2016. Jim Linwood/Flickr, CC BY

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.