The Swiss Federal Intelligence Service (BND) plans to deploy its virtual spies online to combat terrorism and extremism by the end of the year.
Agents with fake identities are expected to carry out studies to obtain information in the virtual world next year.
In order not to be dependent on the services of the international intelligence services with which it collaborates, BND will assign virtual agents and will also receive information from these agents about the data in social networks. The number and capabilities of those who will be commissioned by the BND as virtual spies were not disclosed.
Under current Swiss law, Swiss Defense Minister Viola Amherd must pre-approve any use of fake identity. The use of virtual spies must be under the supervision of intelligence agencies.