British universities paid security firm to ‘spy’ on pro-Palestine students | Education News
London, United Kingdom – A recent investigation has revealed that 12 British universities have contracted Horus Security Consultancy Limited, a private firm run by former military intelligence officials, to monitor student protests and academics. This activity reportedly includes scrutiny of those expressing support for Palestine.
The inquiry, conducted by Al Jazeera English and Liberty Investigates, indicates that Horus has utilized student social media feeds and performed covert counter-terrorism threat assessments for several prominent institutions, totaling over £440,000 (approximately $594,000) in compensation since 2022.
Among those monitored were a Palestinian academic set to give a guest lecture at Manchester Metropolitan University and a pro-Gaza PhD student at the London School of Economics, as documented in internal communications.
In October 2024, an email from the University of Bristol suggested that the institution had supplied Horus with a list of student protest groups for which it sought alerts, including pro-Palestinian and animal rights activism. Other universities involved in this monitoring include the University of Oxford, Imperial College London, University College London, King’s College London, the University of Sheffield, the University of Leicester, the University of Nottingham, and Cardiff Metropolitan University.
No indications have been found that these actions breach legal statutes. The full extent of this surveillance came to light following freedom of information (FOI) requests submitted by Al Jazeera and Liberty Investigates to more than 150 universities.
Responses from universities varied. The University of Sheffield stated it employed external services for “horizon scanning” regarding issues that may impact the institution, clarifying that it does not share student data with Horus or instruct the firm to monitor individuals. Conversely, Imperial College London denied that its arrangement with Horus amounted to student surveillance, asserting its focus on identifying potential security risks, primarily from publicly accessible information.
Horus, established in 2006 by Lieutenant-Colonel Jonathan Whiteley, has claimed a strong ethical stance in its operations. However, the firm has faced scrutiny for its methods, especially regarding data collection and privacy concerns. In an analysis, Gina Romero, the UN special rapporteur for freedom of peaceful assembly and association, expressed that the use of AI for data analysis of students raises significant privacy and ethical issues.
Horus markets a service named “Insight,” designed to create open-source intelligence reports utilizing various online sources. The firm has emphasized its integration of artificial intelligence into its operations since 2022.
This investigation disclosed concerns relating to the treatment of scholars and students engaged in activism. Activists have reported feelings of psychological distress and burnout linked to perceived surveillance. Lizzie Hobbs, a PhD student involved in protests, noted the systemic nature of this monitoring as “deeply scary,” and another academic, Rabab Ibrahim Abdulhadi, expressed shock at the secret threat assessment conducted by Horus prior to her lecture at Manchester Metropolitan University.
Internal documents reveal that Horus was tasked with providing risk assessments based on allegations against Abdulhadi, including prior accusations that had been dismissed. Manchester Metropolitan University ultimately permitted the lecture to proceed under the condition of appropriate security measures.
This investigation raises essential questions about the balance between safety concerns and the right to free expression within academic settings, as universities navigate their roles in supporting lawful protest while addressing potential risks within their communities.
