App created to help verify shady social media accounts

AN APP that helps users check if social media profiles are fake has been launched, as the MI5 spy chief warns foreign agents are targeting British officials on an “industrial scale”.

Ken Mccallum, the director general of MI5, said his organisation has seen more than 10,000 “disguised approaches” on professional networking sites from foreign spies.

The app is part of the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure’s (CPNI) “think before you link” campaign.

It has been developed with behavioural scientists to include features such as a profile reviewer, which will help individuals identify potentially fake profiles and report anything they deem suspicious.

Mr Mccallum said: “Foreign spies are actively working to build relationships with those working in Government, in high-tech business and in academia.”

A Whitehall source told The Daily Telegraph: “The reason for launching the app is that the threat is accelerating and CPNI wants to get more information and tools into people’s hands.”