Where they came from, who was reported on, how many there were - infographics on the Kádár-era spy network

The debates surrounding the Kádár regime's security network continue to shape perceptions of the past. The recent release of databases containing information on agents reveals insights into the composition and statistics of the network. Research by historian Tibor Takács highlights the fluctuating number of agents, which peaked at around 15,000 in 1959, significantly lower than the previous regime's 43,000. This decline was influenced by political shifts aiming to focus on genuine threats rather than surveilling the entire society. The number of agents increased until the late 1960s, followed by a restructuring in 1972 that led to a decrease. Ultimately, between November 1956 and June 1989, at least 55,455 individuals were involved in the network, with estimates suggesting around 150,000 when considering the entire post-1945 period.