Why? End to end encryption is a real thing, look at all the planning for 9/11 that was done on AOL chat rooms or instant messenger using burner accounts, way back in the day. Nowadays there are so many ways to be anonymous online, e2e encryption apps, vpns, the mass of forums and ways to temporarily setup email, it’s insanity to think the primary way a foreign nation would spy is to go through the trouble of having individuals apply for refuge or asylum status just to try and recruit American officials to spy
I honestly don’t know shit about this stuff. However, I’m guessing they do both. Online they flood people hoping someone will bite. But, I’m guessing it’s with it to send people, as they are probably a thousand times more successful. Plus they can target a specific person that might be “immune” to online methods. This is pure speculation, as I’ve never studied it or looked into it. I could be completely off base.
Why? End to end encryption is a real thing, look at all the planning for 9/11 that was done on AOL chat rooms or instant messenger using burner accounts, way back in the day. Nowadays there are so many ways to be anonymous online, e2e encryption apps, vpns, the mass of forums and ways to temporarily setup email, it’s insanity to think the primary way a foreign nation would spy is to go through the trouble of having individuals apply for refuge or asylum status just to try and recruit American officials to spy
I honestly don’t know shit about this stuff. However, I’m guessing they do both. Online they flood people hoping someone will bite. But, I’m guessing it’s with it to send people, as they are probably a thousand times more successful. Plus they can target a specific person that might be “immune” to online methods. This is pure speculation, as I’ve never studied it or looked into it. I could be completely off base.