Trump Approves Private Cyber Attacks to Target Criminals
· World · Economic Times, The Independent, Hindustan Times
President Donald Trump signed a memorandum directing the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security to permit certain U.S. companies to spy on and attack transnational cybercriminal organisations. The White House cited ransomware, sextortion and online fraud, estimating that these crimes cost Americans more than $20 billion in 2025. Private firms that seek to participate must obtain government approval for each operation and post a bond of at least $1 million, with actions causing death or injury excluded. The memo draws a parallel to eighteenth‑century privateering, arguing that private data can be harnessed under public authority. The move has triggered debate among experts about potential benefits in disrupting criminal networks versus risks of oversight and unintended consequences.
Why it matters
The policy puts U.S. cyber‑security firms in a position where they can conduct offensive operations against foreign criminals, potentially reducing ransomware incidents but also exposing them to legal liability and reputational risk. It could set a precedent for other nations, influencing global norms around state‑backed cyber operations.
Read the original report — Economic Times
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