In a first, US will allow some private firms to carry out cyberattacks
- ID
- 13809
- Status
- summarized
- Published
- 13 Aug 2026, 10:09 PM
- Fetched
- 13 Aug 2026, 10:32 PM
- Provider
- TechCrunch
- Category
- technology
- Original URL
- https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/13/in-a-first-us-will-allow-some-private-firms-to-carry-out-cyberattacks/
- Source URL
- https://techcrunch.com/feed/
Summary
- Score
- 4.0
- Created
- 13 Aug 2026, 10:35 PM
- Tags
- Audience
- developerssaas_startup_founders
What happened
The Trump administration published a presidential memorandum allowing vetted private companies to launch offensive cyber operations against international criminal gangs and hackers, including surveillance via spyware and disruptive attacks destroying criminals' data or systems. Participating companies must deposit $1 million in escrow, with detailed requirements coming within two months; the policy is expected to face legal challenges.
Why it matters
This reverses a long-standing US prohibition on private-sector offensive hacking and could normalize private cyber-retaliation globally, which may eventually shape how Malaysia and other jurisdictions regulate offensive security work. For now, no Malaysian builder needs to act, but cybersecurity startups and red-team operators should watch whether similar frameworks emerge regionally.
Discussion angle
Does privatizing offensive cyber operations reduce ransomware, or does it create escalation risks and legal grey zones that could spill into jurisdictions like Southeast Asia where enforcement is already uneven?