MI6 is launching its own dedicated portal on the dark web in hopes of attracting new spies online, notably from Russia. The new portal, utilizing the secure messaging platform Silent Courier, aims to strengthen national security by facilitating the recruitment process for the intelligence agency.
The announcement is expected to be confirmed by the outgoing MI6 chief, Sir Richard Moore, during a speech in Istanbul. The UK hopes to target potential agents in Russia and other parts of the world.
As Sir Richard prepares to transition leadership to Blaise Metreweli, the importance of this move has been underscored by Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, who emphasized that national security is the primary responsibility of the government. She stated, As the world changes, and the threats we're facing multiply, we must ensure the UK is always one step ahead of our adversaries. Our world-class intelligence agencies are at the coalface of this challenge, working behind the scenes to keep British people safe. Now we're bolstering their efforts with cutting-edge tech so MI6 can recruit new spies for the UK - in Russia and around the world.
From Friday, anyone who wishes to securely contact the UK regarding sensitive information related to terrorism or hostile intelligence activities will have access to this new portal. Detailed instructions for usage will be made available on MI6's verified YouTube channel, with recommendations to use trustworthy VPNs and devices not linked to users’ identities.
This strategic move follows a similar initiative by the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), which has employed social media to reach potential spies. Following past breaches of security that compromised agent safety, MI6 appears committed to innovative solutions in counterintelligence efforts.
