My children share too much online, says spy boss

BRITAIN’S chief spymaster has revealed he is concerned about his children sharing too much information over the internet.

Robert Hannigan, who has been in charge of GCHQ since 2014, said his children’s generation have a ‘different view of privacy’.

In the interview at the Cheltenham Science Festival, the father of two said: ‘I do think the internet is changing our definitions of privacy. Certainly from my children’s generation, they see privacy differently, but I don’t think they value it less.

‘I think they are as keen on privacy and think it is as important as ever, I don’t think they value it less.’

Mr Hannigan added: ‘They are putting more of themselves out there at a younger age on the internet and it’s pretty much there for ever and wasn’t an issue for our generation.

‘I think it will change privacy in ways

‘Changing definitions of privacy’

we can’t quite yet foresee.’ He made the rare public appearance at a talk called: ‘For Your Eyes Only: The Secret Life of GCHQ... What is life like inside “the doughnut” and why is their work so important.’

Mr Hannigan also said the time will come when a geeky lone hacker in his bedroom will bring down a city and warned our messages may only be safely hidden for ten years before they are decrypted by super computers.

He added ‘80-90 per cent’ of cyber attacks happen because of poor security such as people using simple passwords like ‘password’ and ‘1234’.

Asked by an audience member about GCHQ’s view on Europe, he said: ‘The Government’s position is very clear we’ll be safer in Europe. That’s obviously GCHQ’s position because we are part of the Government. And I’d probably better leave it at that. I’d probably be sacked if I started launching into a discussion on Europe.’