White House taps security firms for offensive hack-back operations
The program requires vetting, written approval and $1 million bonds as the White House says cybercrime losses reached $20.8 billion in 2025.
- On Wednesday, August 12, President Donald Trump signed a national security presidential memorandum directing the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice to authorize vetted private companies to conduct "cyber surveillance operations" and "cyber effects operations" against foreign transnational criminal organizations.
- Citing a "growing threat" against Americans, the Trump administration noted $20.8 billion in reported cybercrime losses in 2025 and 73% of U.S. adults experiencing online scams, while intrusions into water infrastructure in over a dozen states were reportedly linked to Iranian government-backed hackers.
- Under the memo's "cyber effects" definition, private companies could manipulate, disrupt, or destroy IT systems including industrial control systems; participating firms must maintain a $1 million bond and pass "rigorous vetting" under strict Justice Department and DHS oversight.
- Cybersecurity researcher Marcus Hutchins called the order a "really terrible idea," noting immunity applies only under U.S. law, while experts warn Americans participating abroad could face foreign prosecution or be classified as non-uniformed combatants.
- The federal government will issue guidance within two months outlining requirements for participating companies, though experts question whether guardrails will hold when criminal groups share infrastructure with legitimate services and operations risk collateral damage.
128 Articles
128 Articles
US President Donald Trump has signed a national security memo that allows companies to launch cyberattacks against criminal groups and foreign adversaries.
The memorandum, signed on Wednesday by Donald Trump, entrusts the Ministries of Justice and Homeland Security with an unprecedented program: American companies, licensed and bound by contract, will be able to spy on and attack transnational criminal organizations. The White House justifies its project by the damage of ransomware, "sextortion" and online frauds, which, according to it, cost the Americans $20.8 billion in 2025. The text plans to a…
Trump Eases Rules for Offensive Cyber Strikes, Sparking Escalation Fears
The Trump administration’s decision to loosen restrictions on offensive cyber operations has sparked intense debate among security experts and policymakers. By relaxing rules that previously required high-level approvals for digital attacks against foreign adversaries, the White House has effectively granted military and intelligence agencies greater freedom to strike first in cyberspace. This shift, detailed in a Gizmodo report, marks a departu…
Trump greenlights U.S. companies to aim hacks at cybercriminals | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
WASHINGTON >> The Trump administration is encouraging American companies to conduct their own cyberattacks against criminal hackers, a move that White House officials say will help address digital scourges like ransomware but that some former officials and security experts warn could lead to chaos.
A new executive order from Donald Trump's government authorizes U.S. companies to carry out cyber attacks against foreign criminal networks.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 54% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
