Britain’s secretive electronic spy agency, the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), joined Twitter on Monday, only to be met with a torrent of ridicule across social media.
@GCHQ announced its birth with the tweet: “Hello, World.”
In reference to the agency’s mass surveillance practices, as exposed by NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden, GCHQ was soon bombarded with accusations that it already followed everybody anyway. Others demanded to know if it had any cat pictures.
Hello @GCHQ, ones going to presume you’re already following me without actually following me.
— Samuel Carvalho (@SamCarvalho) May 16, 2016
One Twitter user asked if GCHQ is worried about having its information stolen by shadowy government groups.
@GCHQ you’ve joined twitter? aren’t you concerned about large shady organisations stealing your information under the pretense of security?
— Isaac Stovell (@stovellius) May 16, 2016
Others sent it photos, including one which appeared to infer GCHQ should kiss the tweeter’s posterior.
Another user pointed out GCHQ had followed the official account of the James Bond franchise.
Apologies were also demanded.
@GCHQ How about you start with an apology.
— James Morris (@JimmyMorrisUK) May 16, 2016
One cheeky individual also questioned the architectural style of the distinctive Cheltenham headquarters from which the world’s electronic information is sifted and scrutinized.
@GCHQ Your building looks like a huge ring-piece
— Adolf Livingstone (@Grandnes) May 16, 2016
Via RT. This piece was reprinted by RINF Alternative News with permission or license.