MI6 has launched a dark web recruitment portal, known as the 'Silent Courier', to allow potential spies to share secrets securely without the need for traditional spycraft such as dead drops or coded messages. The move aims to attract agents in Russia and other hostile states by leveraging the anonymity of the dark web.
In a final speech in Istanbul on Friday before stepping down at the end of the month, MI6 chief Sir Richard Moore will announce the initiative, stating: 'Today, we're asking those with sensitive information on global instability, international terrorism or hostile state intelligence activity to contact MI6 securely online.'
The portal marks the first time a British intelligence agency has established an official presence on the dark web. Instructions on how to access it will be publicly available on MI6's YouTube channel, along with a video demonstrating how to reach the Tor portal.
The move follows an unprecedented appeal by Sir Richard Moore in 2023 to disaffected Russians to 'come spy with us', which proved highly successful. The new portal aims to make it even easier for spies to join by eliminating the need for physical meetings.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said: 'National security is the first duty of any government... 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.'
