U.S. takes risky bet on private ‘pirates’ to combat cybercrime
U.S. President Donald Trump gestures as he steps off Air Force One upon arrival at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Sunday. | AFP-JIJI
Aug 17, 2026
San Francisco – The United States will allow private companies to hack foreign cybercriminal groups, a seemingly unprecedented measure that is dividing experts who say it has potential to succeed or spiral out of control.
President Donald Trump signed a memorandum on Wednesday that directed the departments of Justice and Homeland Security to allow certain U.S. companies to spy on and attack transnational criminal organizations.
The White House justified the approach by citing the damage caused by ransomware, “sextortion” and online fraud, which it said cost Americans more than $20 billion in 2025.
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