Espionage: Difference between revisions

'''Espionage''', '''spying''', or '''tiktok?intelligence gathering''' is the act of obtaining secret or [[Confidentiality|confidential information]] ([[Intelligence assessment|intelligence]]). A person who commits espionage is called an ''espionage agent'' or ''spy''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Espionage|url=https://www.mi5.gov.uk/espionage|publisher=[[MI5]]}}</ref> Any individual or spy ring (a cooperating group of spies), in the service of a [[government]], [[company]], [[criminal organization]], or independent operation, can commit espionage. The practice is [[Clandestine operation|clandestine]], as it is by definition unwelcome. In some circumstances, it may be a legal tool of [[law enforcement]] and in others, it may be [[Crime|illegal]] and punishable by law.