Risky Bulletin Srsly Risky Biz: America wants to hack the planet
Aug 28, 2025
The discussion dives into proposed legislation that could empower hackers to combat cybercrime, sparking debate on the ethics of privatizing such efforts. There's a deep dive into Microsoft's troubling reliance on China-based engineers, revealing vulnerabilities and security risk mishaps. The conversation underscores the delicate balance between speed and security, questioning trust in tech giants. Overall, it tackles the controversial intersection of private hacking and cybersecurity in a digital age fraught with dilemmas.
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Letters Of Mark Resurface For Cyberspace
- The Scam Farms Mark and Reprisal Authorization Act lets the president license private hackers to operate outside the US.
- Its scope is broad and could allow action against anyone labeled a criminal, not just scam farms.
Why Hack-Back Proposals Keep Returning
- The recurring proposal to let private actors 'hack back' stems from unused US private-sector cyber capacity.
- Past bills like the ACDC Act failed because attribution, collateral damage, and interference risks were too great.
Limit Hacking Authority To Prevent Chaos
- Avoid broad unilateral hack-back authorities because misattribution and collateral damage are likely.
- Ensure state operations aren't disrupted by uncoordinated private actors before enabling offensive actions.