British foreign intelligence service, MI6, on Friday launched a new web portal called Silent Courier to use the dark web to entice spies to send secrets, especially targeting Russia.
According to a report by CNN, the service will rely on the Tor internet browser, which will allow anonymous access to a secure MI6 messaging platform. Instructions for using Silent Courier was given on MI6’s new YouTube channel on Friday morning.
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the UK was “bolstering their efforts with cutting-edge tech so MI6 can recruit new spies for the UK – in Russia and around the world.”
According to an official statement by the UK Foreign Office: “MI6 advises individuals accessing its portal to use trustworthy VPNs and devices not linked
to themselves, to mitigate risks which exist in some countries.”
This coincides with outgoing MI6 chief Sir Richard Moore’s valedictory speech in Istanbul, Türkiye, where he launched the portal. “Our virtual door is open to you,” he said.
In July 2023 in Prague, Moore appealed the Russian citizens to spy for the UK. In the same year, the CIA launched a similar online mechanism to Silent Courier, also on the Tor network, to appeal for potential spies to pass them secret information.
According to CNN, while the precise technology behind Silent Courier is unclear, sis.gov.uk, MI6’s website, does similarly encourage potential informants to use Tor and a VPN to contact them, and provides an online form to fill in. It tells users to create a new email address they can reply to. “Do not use a name, phone number or other data linked to your real identity when creating this account,” it adds.
