The United Kingdom GCHQ does not violate the law when hacking on computers, according to a court decision.
The details of UK intelligence involvement in the network operation computers, were first revealed by Edward Snowden.
The case went to court, and GCHQ admitted hacking into computers “within and except of the United Kingdom”, and that about a fifth of the information it collects comes from hacking.
GCQ can break vulnerabilities in almost any device such as cameras, computers, firewalls, smart devices and objects considered part of the Internet of Things, such as toys and thermostats.
The court ruling published on Friday (PDF), states that the declared hacking efforts of the service "raised a number of serious questions", but, citing evidence, concluded that a "proper balance" should be struck between the needs of the intelligence service and public guarantees.
Scarlet Kim, her legal counsel Privacy International, which had filed the case, said its team was "disappointed" and would appeal the decision.
"Allowing governments to hack puts the security, stability of the Internet and information exchanged at stake," Kim said.
He added: "This case exposed not only the practices of the secret services, but also the anti-democratic way in which the government operates, which wants to legitimize this practice."
On the other hand, British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, whose office oversees GCHQ, welcomed the decision, adding (BBC News) that the ability to exploit computer networks "plays a crucial role in our ability to protect the British public."
