Tory leadership vote delayed after GCHQ hack warning

Vote for in next prime minister was shelved after GCHQ warned that cyber hackers could change people’s ballots, The Telegraph could reveal.

The Conservative Party was forced to withdraw plans to allow members to change their vote for in next leader later in competition because of Problems.

Sudden change means postage ballots Approximately 160,000 Tory members not yet extradited who will pick Boris Johnson successor. ballots should have been sent out from Monday, but participants have now been warned that they may arrive no later than 11 Aug.

decision was taken on advice of National Cybersecurity Center, part of UK GCHQ listening post. The Telegraph understands that fears have been raised that nefarious figures could change the course of events. votes of scores of party members, causing havoc in the democratic process.

It is clear that there was no particular threat from a hostile state, with advice more general and about the voting process and its vulnerabilities.

Previously blamed China, Russia and Iran. of tried to influence the polls and were publicly accused of trying to intervene in the 2020 US presidential election by the head of US intelligence.

A spokesman for the National Cyber ​​Security Center said: “Protecting the UK’s democratic and electoral processes is a priority. for NCSC and we work close with to all parliamentary political parties, local authorities and deputies to provide advice on cyber security and support.

“As one would expect from the British national cybersecurity body, we advised the Conservative Party on security considerations for online leadership vote.

NO COMMENTS

Leave a ReplyCancel reply

Exit mobile version