The Swiss Federal
Intelligence Service is preparing to deploy its own virtual spies in the online
world. By the end of the year, the Swiss Federal Intelligence Service (BND)
plans to station virtual spies in cyberspace to combat terrorism and extremism.
Agents with fake
identities are expected to work next year to gather information in the virtual
world. BND is going down the path of assigning virtual agents to avoid being
dependent on the services of international intelligence agencies with whom they
collaborate.
The BND will also obtain information about social media data from these
agents. No information was provided by the BND about the number and abilities
of the virtual spies who will be deployed. According to current Swiss laws,
Swiss Defense Minister Viola Amherd must approve the use of any fake identity
in advance. The use of virtual spies must also be under the supervision of
intelligence agencies.