article_snippet.sent: this follows claims that at least three terror groups plotting attacks against Britain have changed at least three terror groups plotting attacks against Britain communication methods since the leaks by Snowden.
article_snippet.sent: The Al Qaeda-linked networks have altered The Al Qaeda-linked networks tactics since the fugitive stole intelligence files from GCHQ and the US National Security Agency, according to a report.
article_snippet.sent: Extremist websites have also moved to protect Extremist websites digital communications by releasing encryption programmes for followers, making it harder for extremists to be tracked down.
article_snippet.sent: Evidence of the harm done to intelligence agencies across the world after the former CIA contractor leaked 1.7million classified documents in 2013
article_snippet.sent: the fugitive stole intelligence files from GCHQ and the US National Security Agency revealed details about covert attempts by agencies to view citizens' private information by gathering internet histories, emails, text and call records and passwords.
article_snippet.sent: Now the Henry Jackson Society has found that at least three Al Qaeda affiliates are known to have altered at least three Al Qaeda affiliates communications.
article_snippet.sent: Jihadist websites also released three 'significant' encryption programmes 'within a three- to five-month time frame of the leaks', meaning fanatics are harder to detect and encrypted emails take longer to decipher.
article_snippet.sent: Report author Robin Simcox said: 'The focus has been about the so-called mass surveillance by GCHQ and the NSA but these leaks have allowed extremist groups and jihadists to look at our capabilities –
article_snippet.sent: which has given the so-called mass surveillance by GCHQ and the NSA a great insight. '
article_snippet.sent: At a time when the range of threats against the West has never been greater, with Yemen, Iraq, Syria, Somalia and Al Qaeda in Pakistan, it is astonishing the focus has been more on the shortcomings of our intelligence agencies and not the fact Snowden has helped terror suspects drop off the radar. '
article_snippet.sent: Snowden has caused severe damage to our ability to fight extremism.'
article_snippet.sent: MI5 director general Andrew Parker has called the traitor's actions a 'gift to terrorists'.