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Donald Trump empowers US private companies to conduct cyber-attacks
theguardian.com • • nation
Key Points:
- President Donald Trump signed a national security memorandum authorizing private companies to conduct limited offensive cyber operations against foreign criminal entities under U.S. government supervision.
- The memo aims to leverage private sector innovation in cybersecurity, allowing vetted companies to engage in cyber surveillance and disruptive actions against transnational criminal organizations (TCOs).
- The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice will oversee these operations, with participating companies required to maintain a minimum $1 million bond or escrow.
- This policy shift marks a significant expansion of the private sector’s role in cybersecurity, traditionally managed by government agencies, amid rising concerns over cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure.
- The initiative has raised legal and ethical questions regarding risks of escalation, unintended consequences, and coordination challenges among agencies and private firms.
