In this excellent Foreign Policy article ‘the Spycraft Revolution‘ (recommended read although a bit long) the changes in the world of espionnage are described, as well as the challenges faced by those involved in this activity to adapt.
Cover identities are now much harder to forge, as we leave many traces of our past on internet. Closed data societies such as China would seem to have an edge on open data societies like the western world (and authoritarian governments over liberal democracies that limit spying). Counterintelligence can leverage the internet to resist deception. Mobile phones are the most spy-friendly device that has ever been invented, it is an incredible tracking tool, and they can even listen to what’s happening remotely.
“The cloak of anonymity is steadily shrinking“. Still, western intelligence agencies are facing legal hurdles but they may have to be partly removed to allow competition with opponents that don’t have this type of issues. Which leaves society more open to intrusive spying. The right balance has not been defined yet.
“Most of us don’t want to live in a country […] where the intelligence and security agencies are at the heart of public life and political decision-making.” Still we need to be realistic enough to defend ourselves against undue foreign influence. This balance will take time to establish and there will be blunders along the way.
