What is in the communist secret police files Hungary has published online?

Hungary has put its communist-era secret police archive into a public online database, naming some 60,000 informers, 36 years after the fall of communism. Before, people could see only their own file. Prime Minister Peter Magyar promised the release in his election campaign as a path to healing. BBC Budapest correspondent Nick Thorpe reports that singers, scientists, TV presenters and politicians are on the list.

• Informers ranged from people who were blackmailed to a minority who spied on family and friends with enthusiasm.
• A theologian informed on by dozens of fellow Christians fears the release will sow distrust, since perhaps 95% of those affected are dead.

Source: our own transcription of the episode. The full conversation is on Global News Podcast (2026-11-05). Read the whole episode summary →

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