Private Spies Used 'Big Brother' Tactics on Salmon Farm Activists

Wildlife activists who exposed horrific conditions at Scottish salmon farms were subjected to surveillance by spies working for a British army veteran. One of the activists, Corin Smith, expressed concerns about being followed and photographed by the former paratrooper Damian Ozenbrook’s operatives, even in the presence of his young daughter.

Smith highlighted the psychological impact of knowing that he was under surveillance, describing it as a source of paranoia, guilt, anger, and stress. The surveillance of Smith and another activist, Don Staniford, began after they filmed the conditions inside the salmon farms and shared the footage online.

A public inquiry is currently examining police spying on environmental groups, while a Guardian investigation sheds light on the private spies-for-hire industry. The surveillance included gathering personal information and proposing further monitoring activities.

Ozenbrook's firm, Blue Square Global, has faced allegations of conducting intrusive investigations. The use of private surveillance firms remains largely unregulated, raising concerns about privacy and data protection.

Smith, a former fishing guide turned activist, discovered a tracker on his car in 2021, leading to further questions about the extent of surveillance. Staniford, another target, has faced legal threats and restrictions on filming at fish farm facilities.

The private intelligence industry, with its roots in military and intelligence services, operates in a shadowy realm with limited oversight. The impact of such surveillance on activists and their families has raised alarm among privacy advocates and campaigners.

According to the source: The Guardian.