The Trump administration is launching a program allowing private firms to carry out cyberattacks against foreign criminals while operating under federal control and oversight, according to a presidential memorandum.
Key facts
- The Trump administration is launching a program letting private firms perform cyberattacks against foreign criminals.
- The firms would operate 'under the control and oversight' of the federal government.
- The permission covers surveilling and disrupting criminal networks.
- The plan is set out in a presidential memorandum published on Wednesday.
- The program was reported earlier by Bloomberg.
The Trump administration is launching a new program that would allow private firms to perform cyberattacks against foreign criminals, according to reporting from The Verge, which cited earlier coverage by Bloomberg.
Under the plan, private companies would be permitted to surveil and disrupt criminal networks. According to a presidential memorandum published on Wednesday, these firms would operate ‘under the control and oversight’ of the federal government.
The arrangement marks a shift toward involving private-sector actors in offensive cyber operations that have traditionally been the domain of government agencies. The memorandum frames the effort as targeting foreign criminals.
The Verge reported the development based on a presidential memorandum, noting that Bloomberg had first reported the program. The available details emphasize that any activity by private firms would remain subject to federal control and oversight.
Beyond the memorandum’s core provisions authorizing surveillance and disruption of criminal networks, further specifics about how the program will be implemented were not detailed in the initial reporting.
Why it matters
Allowing private firms to conduct offensive cyber operations against foreign targets represents a significant expansion of who can carry out such activities, which have typically been reserved for government agencies. How federal oversight is applied could shape the risks and accountability tied to these operations.
Frequently asked questions
What would the new program allow private firms to do?
According to the presidential memorandum reported by The Verge, private firms would be permitted to surveil and disrupt criminal networks by performing cyberattacks against foreign criminals.
Who would oversee the private firms?
The memorandum states the firms would operate 'under the control and oversight' of the federal government.
Where was this reported?
The Verge reported on the program, citing a presidential memorandum published on Wednesday and earlier reporting by Bloomberg.