GCHQ’s bulk interception of communications data, including data about telephone calls and emails of UK citizens unlawfully breached privacy rights of UK citizens, the European Court of Human Rights ruled today. The court found that the UK’s regime for interception bulk communications data and for obtaining data from phone and internet companies breached citizens rights to privacy. The decision follows an eight-year legal battle by 11 NGOs, including Liberty, Privacy International and Amnesty. They brought the case in the wake of revelations of the UK’s involvement in mass surveillance following the leaks by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden in 2013.