Newly public documents from the leaked files of NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden allege that the intelligence agency has placed operatives at companies aboard to perform “physical subversion” activities aimed at compromising computer networks and devices.
The documents – published in a report by The Intercept – indicate that the NSA relies on information from undercover agents employed at technology firms in China, Germany and South Korea, to access their sensitive data and systems.
If true, the revelation is significant because it exposes a new physical method for the NSA to spy on tech companies, namely putting personnel inside to perform actual surveillance, in addition to the digital methods that have already been publicized.
It would also represent an important shift because it essentially involves NSA spying inside companies, rather than corporations voluntarily handing over data.
The report also suggests that the companies themselves might be cooperating with the NSA in activities intended to make the Internet and their networks less secure, possibly without the knowledge of the host countries.
Snowden predicted over the weekend that the NSA’s spying program will soon be deemed unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court.
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