US takes risky bet on private ‘pirates’ to combat cybercrime

The United States will allow private companies to hack foreign cybercriminal groups, a seemingly unprecedented measure that is dividing experts who say it has potential to succeed or spiral out of control.

President Donald Trump signed a memorandum on Wednesday that directed the departments of Justice and Homeland Security to allow certain US companies to spy on and attack transnational criminal organizations.

The White House justified the approach by citing the damage caused by ransomware, “sextortion,” and online fraud, which it said cost Americans more than $20 billion in 2025.