Do they need NSA approval?
I recall Jacob Appelbaum describing the attempt of GCHQ to recruit him. He mentioned (paraphrasing) that they view themselves as the deciders, but they also mentioned that he shouldn't worry because all their hires are cleared through NSA (Jacobs an American).
I can't find it quickly again (long videos). It was in either this video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNsePZj_Yks
Or this one (a must watch*):
http://boingboing.net/2013/12/31/jacob-appelbaums-must-watch.html
But that is an issue, because its in the interests of the NSA to spy on its friends and ensure they stay on USA message. GCHQ's duty is to protect UK from such surveillance. So there's a conflict of interests there. And it would mean NSA would get to reject people who might view their surveillance activities as detrimental to the UK.
So is that the case, does NSA vet GCHQ hires? Because that's an issue of UK security!
* Note (off this topic) the 15 years part at 18:44 in this video, this is a video from 2013, 15 years is 1998. This surveillance began before 911 before the Patriot act, they were drag netting content and metadata.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
