Glen Greenwald has posted another dispatch on the Snowden files, presenting new revelations about GCHQ: False flag operations, spreading false information, and disrupting nascent political groups. His report includes the tired, obtuse non-quote from GCHQ:
It is a longstanding policy that we do not comment on intelligence matters. Furthermore, all of GCHQ’s work is carried out in accordance with a strict legal and policy framework which ensures that our activities are authorised, necessary and proportionate, and that there is rigorous oversight, including from the Secretary of State, the Interception and Intelligence Services Commissioners and the Parliamentary Intelligence and Security Committee. All our operational processes rigorously support this position
It strikes me that this non-speak is ripe raw material for satire and art. Here’s a quick, rudimentary example I knocked up myself, juxtaposing the securocratese with the enforced bounciness of Wordeo (I can’t find a way to embed Wordeos on other websites, yet):
I’m sure other artists and satirists would do a better job than this.
The lack of accountability of the security services is a major problem with the UK’s surveillance practices. So re-appropriating GCHQ and government statements is a small but important aspect to the campaign for reform of mass surveillance.