'Hello, world': GCHQ, Twitter and social media engagement. Issue 2 (23rd February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: McLoughlin, Liam; Ward, Stephen; Lomas, Daniel W. B.
• Is Part Of: Intelligence and national security. Volume 35:Issue 2(2020)
• Page Start: 233
• Page End: 251
• Publication Date: 2020-02-23
• Subjects: Espionage -- Periodicals; Intelligence service -- Periodicals; National security -- Periodicals; 327.12
• DOI: 10.1080/02684527.2020.1713434
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0268-4527

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In May 2016, Britain's signals intelligence agency the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) joined the social media platform Twitter to considerable press fanfare. But to date, no analysis has been undertaken regarding the use and outcomes of social media by the agency - once referred to as Britain's 'most secret'. This article posits that, while the use of social media has allowed the agency to reach out to a new tech-savvy generation, its presence on the platform can sometimes stoke and amplify conspiracy theories affecting issues such as brand identity as GCHQ adopts a new, media friendly approach.