Historical moment, the agent files have been opened – we show what we can find and what we will definitely search for in vain

The open database on state security agents in Hungary is incomplete, with many records missing or destroyed. The H-coded magnetic tape contains names of agents from various security branches, but around 2,500 names remain classified. The database has been in use since the 1970s and does not include all agents, with many records deleted before 1990. While some documents could provide a fuller list, they have not been released to archives. The existence of these records was long denied, and the current database reveals only names without context about their activities. Many agents were coerced into service, and escaping this involvement often came with personal costs. The methods of state security evolved from the ÁVH era, focusing less on total surveillance. The list's publication indicates that individuals were persuaded to become agents, but their actual contributions remain unclear.