Oxford University has dismissed assertions that it kept watch over student demonstrators after an inquiry by a media organisation uncovered that a contracted intelligence firm examined social media content and compiled threat assessments.

A university official labelled the press coverage as incorrect while acknowledging that outside safety advisors are engaged.

The joint probe by Al Jazeera English and Liberty Investigates found that intelligence firm Horus, based at premises in St Aldate’s in Oxford, has obtained payments amounting to a minimum of £440,000 from universities since 2022.

These universities reportedly encompass Oxford, Imperial College London and the University of Leicester.

The procedures outlined are not described as illegal.

Central to the allegations is Horus’ Insight instrument, which delivers open-source intelligence briefings sourced from various internet platforms.

Horus Security is headquartered on St Aldate’s in Oxford.

The business was created within Oxford’s security division by former Lieutenant-Colonel Jonathan Whiteley during the early 2000s and subsequently integrated artificial intelligence into its services.

According to the Al Jazeera findings, this approach raises moral questions and could result in over-collection of information.

Among the particular examples of students subject to monitoring mentioned is Lizzie Hobbs, who was involved in a four-week protest at the London School of Economics.

One of her online posts was apparently highlighted by Horus for the London institution.

Another situation involves the University of Bristol commissioning a bespoke tracking service covering all matters concerning student protests in that city.

Responding to the allegations, an Oxford University representative stated that claims of surveillance were incorrect. The representative explained that external security consultants are used solely to carry out safety risk assessments for public occasions and planned demonstrations, not to monitor individuals or political activities.