Interesting article, it also beings up the question(in my mind) how operatives can operate in a hostile environment(not necessarily hostile, just one in which they don't want to be caught).
How could US (or British for that matter) HUMINT operate in places such as PR-China (which is beginning to operate such pervasive surveillance systems) without leaving a trail. How can you be a real/digital ghost?
How could US (or British for that matter) HUMINT operate in places such as PR-China
By taking advantage of the pervasive corruption in China to bribe Chinese nationals ("agents") who are cross-checked for their ability to provide the U.S. or British citizens ("operatives") with information. That's how the C.I.A. has long gathered a lot of its human intelligence in a lot of countries. It doesn't always work, but neither do any other country's attempts to gather intelligence always work against the United States or Britain.
How could US (or British for that matter) HUMINT operate in places such as PR-China (which is beginning to operate such pervasive surveillance systems) without leaving a trail. How can you be a real/digital ghost?