Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service (SIS), better known as MI6, has launched a new dark web platform to recruit agents from hostile states such as Russia, Iran, North Korea and China.
The portal, called Silent Courier, allows individuals with access to sensitive information to securely contact British intelligence without meeting a handler in person. It is designed to make it easier for potential agents to pass information to the UK while reducing the risk of being caught by their governments.
Why Now?
Sir Richard Moore, MI6’s outgoing chief, will formally unveil the platform in a speech in Istanbul. He is expected to say:
“Today we’re asking those with sensitive information on global instability, international terrorism or hostile state intelligence activity to contact MI6 securely online. Our virtual door is open to you.”
The move comes as operating undercover in hostile countries has become more dangerous, with facial recognition, surveillance and stricter border checks making it harder for officers to work undetected.
Learning From the CIA
The initiative mirrors similar efforts by the CIA, which already hosts onion sites on the dark web accessible through the Tor browser. These encrypted channels have helped US intelligence agencies attract sources who would otherwise remain silent.
By following suit, MI6 hopes to reach insiders in countries where surveillance is tight, particularly Russia and China. Intelligence officers say Chinese nationals already use the dark web to evade state censorship and in some cases act as whistleblowers.
Safety First
MI6 will publish instructions on its verified YouTube channel explaining how to access Silent Courier. Potential recruits will be advised to use trusted VPNs and devices not linked to them personally, in order to reduce risks in repressive states.
Yvette Cooper, the foreign secretary, said:
“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.”
Beyond the Shadows
The agency’s embrace of digital tools is part of a wider effort to modernise. Last week, MI6 opened its first Instagram account, aiming to provide an “authentic insight” into its work and attract younger recruits.
For an organisation once steeped in secrecy, MI6 is now reaching out in new ways both in the open, through social media, and in the shadows, through the dark web.
