London, Sep 19 (PTI) – Britain's MI6 has unveiled a groundbreaking dark web platform named "Silent Courier" to recruit spies globally, with a focus on Russia, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) disclosed on Friday.
This innovative move marks the first time the anonymity of the dark web is being leveraged for such purposes. Aspiring agents will find instructions to access the portal openly available on MI6's verified YouTube channel.
"As global dynamics evolve, ensuring the UK stays a step ahead of threats is paramount," stated Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper.
"Our intelligence services work tirelessly to safeguard our citizens. Now, bolstered by cutting-edge technology, MI6 is poised to recruit new operatives worldwide, particularly from regions like Russia," she elaborated.
The Silent Courier platform empowers individuals with sensitive information related to terrorism or hostile intelligence to securely communicate with the UK. MI6 advises potential recruits to use trustworthy virtual private networks (VPNs) and anonymous devices to mitigate regional risks.
Recognized from Ian Fleming's James Bond series, MI6, officially the Secret Intelligence Service, represents the UK's foreign intelligence wing.
The FCDO emphasized this dark web initiative as part of a “generational uplift” in defense spending, equipping the intelligence community to uphold national security and counter adversarial threats.
Sir Richard Moore, the outgoing Chief of MI6, announced from Istanbul that these services are pivotal in assessing risks and making informed decisions.
"We invite those with information on global instability, terrorism, or hostile state activities to reach out to MI6 online securely. Our virtual doors are open," Sir Richard, known by his moniker 'C,' affirmed.
In a historic first, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently announced Blaise Metreweli as the inaugural female 'C' of MI6, succeeding Moore.
MI6's strategy draws parallels with the CIA's 2023 social media campaign targeting potential Russian informants. The FCDO pointed out that the UK's defense ties with the US have strengthened, following US President Donald Trump's recent State Visit.
Moreover, a new collaboration with Google Cloud allows the UK and US to communicate securely. The partnership enables both nations to counteract malign actors seeking to disrupt daily life and engage in cyber threats.
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