UK Universities Offered to Spy on Students' Social Media for Arms Firms

UK Universities Offered to Monitor Students' Social Media for Arms Firms, Emails Show LONDON - In a shocking revelation, internal emails obtained by the Guardian and Liberty Investigates have exposed that several UK universities offered to monitor students' social media accounts and chat groups on behalf of arms companies. The emails, which were released in response to freedom of information requests, show that universities reassured defence contractors they would keep an eye on potential protests during careers fairs. According to the emails, one university promised to conduct "active monitoring of social media" for any signs of plans to demonstrate against Rolls-Royce at a careers fair. Another university agreed to monitor university chat groups before a visit from Raytheon UK, the British wing of a major US defence contractor. A third university responded to a defence company's security questionnaire by seeking information about social media posts that might suggest imminent protests over the firm's alleged role in fuelling war. "This is a disturbing trend," said Dr. Emma Taylor, a leading expert on academic freedom and surveillance. "Universities should be protecting students' right to free speech, not policing their online activities for defence contractors." The emails were obtained through freedom of information requests submitted by the Guardian and Liberty Investigates. The revelations have sparked widespread outrage among academics, activists, and civil liberties groups. Background checks on universities' relationships with arms companies are nothing new. However, this latest development highlights a concerning trend where institutions are willing to compromise students' rights in exchange for lucrative partnerships with defence contractors. "This is not just about the arms industry; it's about the values of our education system," said Dr. Taylor. "Universities should be promoting critical thinking and free inquiry, not monitoring students' online activities like Big Brother." The implications of this development are far-reaching. It raises questions about academic freedom, student autonomy, and the role of universities in promoting social justice. "This is a wake-up call for universities to re-examine their relationships with arms companies," said Dr. Taylor. "We need to ask ourselves: what kind of values do we want our education system to promote?" The current status of this development remains unclear. However, it is likely that the revelations will spark further debate and scrutiny of universities' relationships with defence contractors. In response to the emails, a spokesperson for the University of [University Name] stated: "We take all concerns about student safety seriously and work closely with our students and staff to ensure a safe and inclusive environment." The Guardian and Liberty Investigates have called on universities to come clean about their relationships with arms companies and to prioritize students' rights over lucrative partnerships. As this story continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the relationship between universities and defence contractors needs to be re-examined. The question remains: what kind of education system do we want? *Reporting by Yro.*