Trump Memo Lets Vetted U.S. Firms Join Offensive Hacks On Cybercriminals
President Trump signed a national security memorandum late Wednesday, August 12, 2026, authorizing vetted U.S. companies to carry out offensive hacks against foreign cybercriminal groups with prior government approval.[1]
Under the memo, companies may, with prior written approval from the Justice Department and Homeland Security, conduct hacking, surveillance and some disruptive operations against foreign cybercriminal groups.[1] Contracts tied to the program reportedly include roughly $1 million fines for violations and explicitly bar operations expected to cause loss of life, serious injury, or that would qualify as a use of force under international law.[1]
Previous U.S. policy confined offensive cyber operations to government agencies, and no administration had publicly endorsed private offensive hacking before this memorandum.[1] Supporters say the change could speed responses to cross-border extortion and ransomware, while critics warn it raises legal, diplomatic and oversight risks.
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📌 Key Facts
- President Trump signed the national security memorandum late Wednesday, August 12, 2026.
- Vetted U.S. companies may, with prior DOJ and DHS written approval, conduct hacking, surveillance and some disruptive operations against foreign cybercriminal groups.
- Contracts reportedly include $1 million fines for violations and prohibit operations expected to cause loss of life, serious injury, or qualify as a use of force under international law.
- The move reverses long-standing policy that confined offensive cyber operations to U.S. government agencies and has not previously been publicly endorsed by any administration.
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