Report: Britain pulls out spies as Russia, China crack Snowden files - Washingtonpost

LONDON — Britain has pulled out agents from live operations in “hostile countries” after Russia and China cracked top-secret ­information contained in files leaked by former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden, the Sunday Times ­reported.

MI6, Britain’s version of the CIA, has removed agents from certain countries, the newspaper said, citing unnamed officials at the office of British Prime Minister David Cameron, the Home Office (interior ministry) and security services.

Snowden downloaded more than 1.7 million secret files from security agencies in the United States and Britain in 2013, and he leaked details about mass surveillance of phone and Internet communications to the news media, including The Washington Post. The United States wants him to stand trial.

Moscow granted asylum to Snowden in 2013. Although he has claimed that the encrypted files remain secure, British authorities think Russia and China have cracked documents containing details that could allow British and U.S. spies to be identified, the newspaper said, citing officials. 

The revelations about the impact of Snowden on intelligence operations come days after Britain’s terrorism law watchdog said the rules governing the security services’ abilities to spy on the public needed to be overhauled.

Cameron has promised new security measures, including more powers to monitor Britons’ communications and online activity in what critics have dubbed a “snoopers’ charter.” - Read More 

Report: Britain pulls out spies as Russia, China crack Snowden files

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