The Albanian government has disclosed sensitive information on the internet regarding Albanian intelligence operatives connected to NATO. The revelation was made today by The Independent. The information contained in spreadsheets posted on the Ministry of Finance website included full names and IDs of operatives, as well as vehicles they use, operational roles, travel routes and other daily routine. Included were also complete details of eight clandestine Albanian operatives who work under diplomatic cover in several countries. Part of the information posted online was classified as “Secret”.
Albania being a NATO member, the careless disclosure of such sensitive information might put at risk officers’ lives, as well as provide clues for hostile states, organizations or individuals seeking to access NATO’s system.
In what appears to be a reckless move, the spreadsheets were posted online as part of the whole Budget of the Albanian government and stayed there for months.
SHISH officers and a former CIA agent have told The Independent, on a condition of anonymity, that the information posted was very sensitive, and “a bureaucratic catastrophe”.
The information appeared to be updated daily, at least until 3 December 2018, including detailed information about secret operatives working in the country and abroad.
Prompted by The Independent, Albanian authorities vowed to remove the information from the website of the Ministry of Finance.
