Security Service (Noun)
Meaning
The government agency in the United Kingdom that is responsible for internal security and counterintelligence on British territory.
Classification
Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects.
Examples
- The security service is headed by a Director General, who is appointed by the government.
- In recent years, the security service has expanded its operations to tackle the threat of terrorism and cybercrime.
- MI5 is often used interchangeably with the security service, but technically refers specifically to the service's internal security role.
- As the UK's internal security service, the organization's work often goes unreported, due to the sensitive nature of its activities.
- Critics argue that the security service's increased surveillance powers have compromised civil liberties and privacy.