Thanks a lot for the in-depth reply! It's interesting, because I think most people seem to assume that the power dynamics of working at GCHQ is somehow fundame

Thanks a lot for the in-depth reply! It's interesting, because I think most people seem to assume that the power dynamics of working at GCHQ is somehow fundamentally different to those of a private company: because GCHQ spies on the public and is above us in power, everyone at GCHQ must also be on some sort of equal 'spy-level' footing and equally aware of what's going on. Of course this obviously isn't true, and I expect it's much as you describe i.e. it's like a regular company where no-one really knows anything above their pay grade. Also -- assuming you've not already thrown the account away -- could I ask how many of the technical people at GCHQ appear to be working there for moral reasons vs working there for the challenge of it? Are there many techies who consider it a moral prerogative to work there?