The CIA has published a set of online instructions in Korean, Mandarin, and Farsi on how to contact the agency securely, as reported by Euronews and the Associated Press (AP).
Authoritarian regimes around the world use the internet as a tool for mass surveillance, propaganda, and disinformation, while blocking sites and viewpoints deemed unfavorable to the government.
The top US spy agency aims to make it easier for individuals in Iran, China, and North Korea to reach out with tips as part of its effort to expand its network of informants in these countries.
The instructions provide methods for contacting the CIA through its public website or the darknet, a part of the internet that protects users' identities.
Similar instructions were posted in Russian two years ago, following Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The agency claims there is global interest in contacting them and emphasizes making potential informants feel secure.
“People are trying to reach out to us from around the world, and we are offering them instructions for how to do that safely,” the agency said.
“Our efforts have been successful in Russia, and we want individuals in other authoritarian regimes to know that we're open for business.”
The agency’s instructions, which are presented in text-only videos and infographics, include how to use VPNs to bypass internet restrictions and surveillance, and how to use devices that are difficult to trace back to users.
The CIA also advises potential informants to use private web browsers and to delete their browsing history to protect their anonymity.
The messages, available in the three target languages, were posted on platforms such as Telegram, YouTube, X, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Although several of these platforms are blocked in China, Iran, and North Korea, they remain accessible through VPNs.
Authoritarian regimes around the world use the internet as a tool for mass surveillance, propaganda, and disinformation, while blocking sites and viewpoints deemed unfavorable to the government.
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