Switzerland is bolstering its fight against terrorism and violent extremism with the use of cyber agents that operate under false identities on the internet.
This content was published on
1 minute
Keystone-SDA/srf/jdp
العربية
ar
جهاز الاستخبارات السويسري يخطط لتجنيد عملاء سيبرانيين
By the end of the year, the Federal Intelligence Service (FIS) plans to use cyber agents that go under cover with false identities to collect intelligence-related data in social networks. This is part of an effort to “adapt to the development of threats in the virtual world,” the Federal Intelligence Service told Swiss public television, SRF.
Swiss intelligence has already benefited from the use of cyber agents from foreign intelligence services in “several cases”. It would now like to develop its own capabilities, independent of partner services.
“The FIS doesn’t give information on the number of virtual agents, nor on their capacities or their schedule,” said FIS according to Keystone-SDA. From a legal perspective, undercover agents are regulated in the same way whether they are in the real or virtual world. The current law requires the Swiss defence minister, Viola Amherd, to approve each false identity.
The cyber agents will also be subject to the supervision of the supervisory bodies of the FIS, in particular the independent authority to monitor intelligence activities and a special parliamentary committee.
Popular Stories
More
Life & Aging
Switzerland no longer wants to foot the bill for ‘suicide tourism’
As a Swiss Abroad, how do you feel about the emergence of more conservative family policies in some US states?
In recent years several US states have adopted more conservative policies on family issues, abortion and education. As a Swiss citizen living there, how do you view this development?
This content was published on
Two fish species recently discovered in Switzerland have been called fluvicola and ommata, following an appeal to the public for names.
Convicted ex-shipowner achieves partial success in Swiss court
This content was published on
The Federal Supreme Court orders lower court to reassess part of its verdict against former Swiss shipowner Hans-Jürg Grunder.
This content was published on
A Swiss moratorium on the genetic engineering of plants, which expires at the end of 2025, could be extended for five years.
SWISS airline achieves second-best profit in history
This content was published on
Revenues soared for Swiss International Air Lines in 2024, contributing to the second-largest profit in the company's history.
Switzerland to collect data from non-Schengen visitors
This content was published on
The data of travellers from non-Schengen countries will be automatically recorded at the borders of member countries, also Switzerland.
Swiss secret service bosses forced to re-apply for jobs
This content was published on
Top managers at Switzerland’s Federal Intelligence Service must re-apply for newly created positions as the department undergoes a reshuffle.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.