White House authorizes private companies to conduct cyber operations against foreign criminals

President Trump signed a memorandum that allows vetted private U.S. companies to carry out cyber operations against foreign criminal organizations under federal direction. The companies could secretly collect intelligence and, with approval, disrupt or destroy targeted systems. The program aims to combat cyber-enabled crime.

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The memorandum outlines two categories of authorized activity. Cyber Surveillance Operations permit companies to covertly access targeted systems for intelligence gathering while avoiding detection. A second category, requiring federal approval, allows manipulation, disruption, denial of access,