Photo File: Secret Intelligence Service M16 logo

The United Kingdom’s foreign intelligence service, MI6, has launched a new dark web portal designed to securely recruit foreign spies particularly from Russia and other regions of strategic interest.

The portal, named “Silent Courier,” aims to provide a safe and anonymous channel for individuals with access to sensitive information, such as intelligence on terrorism or hostile activities, to communicate with the UK government.

The initiative was announced on Friday, with detailed instructions for accessing the portal available on MI6’s official, verified YouTube channel.

“Our virtual door is open to you,” said outgoing MI6 chief Richard Moore, addressing potential informants and collaborators. The agency, which gained international recognition through Ian Fleming’s fictional spy James Bond, emphasized the use of secure technologies to ensure anonymity.

According to MI6, individuals are advised to use the Tor browser a tool for accessing the dark web as well as VPNs and untraceable devices or email accounts not linked to their real identities. These precautions are especially important in countries where Tor is restricted or monitored.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper stated that the launch is part of broader efforts to keep the UK ahead of its adversaries amid rising global threats. “As the world changes, and the threats we’re facing multiply, we must ensure the UK is always one step ahead of our adversaries,” Cooper said. “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.”

The dark web portal is accessible in multiple languages, ensuring wider reach and usability for potential informants in various regions.

This development comes as geopolitical tensions remain high, particularly in the context of Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. MI6 chief Moore previously revealed that the UK had uncovered a “staggeringly reckless campaign of Russian sabotage in Europe,” further underlining the urgency behind this new digital recruitment strategy.

With this unprecedented move, MI6 signals a shift in traditional espionage methods embracing modern technology to stay ahead in the global intelligence arena.