The United Kingdom’s spy agency, MI6, has created a new way for people around the world to contact them safely. The agency has launched a special web portal on the dark web to recruit informants and receive secret information from people in Russia and other countries. This was announced by Britain’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
The idea behind this project is that even a common person can help the Secret Intelligence Service by sharing important information. MI6 will officially introduce this secure messaging platform, called “Silent Courier”, on September 19.
The goal of “Silent Courier” is to use the anonymity of the dark web, a hidden part of the internet, to let anyone, anywhere in the world, contact MI6 without revealing their identity. Through this portal, users can safely share details about illegal activities happening anywhere, or even offer to work with the agency, according to the Foreign Office.
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The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office also posted a reel explaining the programme. In the caption, it wrote: "As MI6 pursues our global mission, we build relationships with courageous people who share our commitment to a safer world. SILENT COURIER helps us connect with these people even more securely online."
Instructions for using the portal are shared on MI6’s official YouTube channel.
Here are the instructions from the YouTube channel
It suggests not to use your home or work computer, or your mobile phone. You must use a device and internet connection that is not linked to your identity, or the identities of your close family members or friends. You must obtain a clean device.
Where possible, use an updated device, but preferably an updated version of your internet browser.
Whether possible, use private browsing (such as incognito mode in Chrome) and check your internet search history after contacting us. If there is any, delete it.
Contacting us through TOR provides you with excellent security. TOR will help hide your online activity from being monitored by intelligence agencies or other third parties.
For instructions on installing and using the TOR browser, you can visit this website – but avoid using your personal device to access this website.
Then contact MI6 through this website
On this page, you can put the information. If you're in a high-risk country, you should consider using additional security measures, such as masking your internet activity using a VPN in addition to TOR. Do not use a device that is registered in your name, or that can be associated with you in any way.
Contacting us through the MI6 website with a VPN
If you are unable to use TOR to write to us, you can also choose to write to us at https://www.sis.gov.uk/contact-us-form.
In this case, you must connect to the VPN before visiting the website, otherwise your information and traffic may be more easily identified by third parties.
The VPN endpoint can be set in any country except those considered hostile to the UK and its allies.
You should prioritise your security and privacy when choosing a VPN provider, and it is important that you do not enter any data associated with your identity when creating an account and setting up the VPN.
MI6 will carefully consider all information you provide to them.
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Clear contact details to contact them securely (such as setting up a new free email address or an encrypted and reliable messaging platform).
Other websites to contact are
https://torproject.org
https://www.sis.gov.uk/contact-us-form
In the official press release, MI6 said: "Harnessing the anonymity of the dark web for the first time, MI6’s new secure messaging platform - Silent Courier - enables anyone, anywhere in the world with access to sensitive information relating to terrorism or hostile intelligence activity to securely contact the UK and offer their services."
This approach is similar to what the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) did in 2023, when it used social media to try to recruit potential Russian spies.
