@danegeld wrote:
Possibly illegal in the strict sense under the computer misuse act - but I think the difference here is that it would be deemed there was 'no public interest' in prosecuting GCHQ, so the Crown Prosecution Service could simply refuse to uphold the law - so in principle private citizens or the ISP companies or the members of Anonymous affected could bring a prosecution against GCHQ for instigating a DDoS attack, if GCHQ had made the DDoS and the ISPs were willing to testify in court that they thought GCHQ's activities were 'misuse' - but the prosecution would likely have to be brought at the expense of the private individuals or the ISPs involved. It's also entirely possible that all major ISPs have signed a memorandum of understanding with GCHQ that states that DDoS originating from GCHQ is not 'misuse'
