It was possible to say no to the state security.

In October 1957, József Torgyán was approached by the State Security Service due to his involvement in the 1956 revolution. He faced threats to halt his legal studies and criminal proceedings but refused to cooperate, citing moral objections. Despite being registered, he continued to resist pressure, eventually leading to his exclusion from the network in 1958. Similarly, director János Szikora was approached in 1987 regarding his driving license, but he also declined to cooperate when he realized the intent behind the offer. Many individuals feigned ignorance during recruitment interviews, while others disclosed their interactions, leading to their exclusion. Historian Tibor Takács noted that individuals had the option to refuse collaboration, and moral judgments should not be hastily applied to those who signed agreements. The motivations for recruitment varied, often involving patriotic appeals or compromising information, with financial incentives being less common. The State…