9 Feb 2015

Five Eyes considers terrorist use of social media

1:06 pm on 9 February 2015

Members of the Five Eyes spying network, including New Zealand, have discussed how they can do more to respond to the use of social media platforms by terrorist groups.

The Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB)'s spy base at Waihopai, near Blenheim.

The Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB)'s spy base at Waihopai, near Blenheim. Photo: SUPPLIED

The minister in charge of the country's spy agencies, Christopher Finlayson, met his counterparts from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia in London on Waitangi Day.

It was the second ministerial meeting to be held by the Five Eyes partners and they will meet again next year in Canada.

Mr Finlayson says it is more important than ever they work closely together.

In a joint statement the ministers said they discussed working together to deal with terrorist groups' use of social media and also discussed sharing ways of identifying and handling people who become radicalised.

They said they would continue to share information in accordance with international and domestic laws.

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