A secretive Whitehall unit complained to US tech giants about social media posts criticising asylum hotels, immigration and 'two-tier' policing, it has emerged.
Officials working for Technology Secretary Peter Kyle warned TikTok about videos with 'concerning narratives' and claimed they were 'exacerbating tensions' on the streets.
Emails sent by the Government's National Security and Online Information Team (NSOIT) during last year's Southport riots have been obtained by a US congressional committee.
Campaign group Big Brother Watch has called for an investigation into the unit, claiming the emails show it is 'spying on speech that is critical of the police and Government policies'.
The messages emerged as ministers continue to fight claims from US politicians - including allies of Donald Trump - that the UK's Online Safety Act is censoring social media.
