Wyden and Casar request GAO review of federal hacking of Americans
This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.
Sen. Ron Wyden and Rep. Greg Casar asked the Government Accountability Office on Friday to review federal hacking of Americans, including spyware use. The lawmakers cited a lack of public reporting on hacking operations compared with traditional surveillance. The request follows ICE's acknowledged work with spyware firm Paragon.
Key Facts
- Sen. Ron Wyden and Rep. Greg Casar wrote to the Government Accountability Office on Friday to request the review.
- The lawmakers said federal law enforcement has used hacking and spyware for more than 25 years without annual public reports.
- Immigration and Customs Enforcement has acknowledged working with spyware firm Paragon during President Donald Trump's second term.
- The letter asks GAO to review documented cases of federal law enforcement misusing hacking capabilities for personal or unauthorized reasons.
- The request also covers agency acquisition and protection of hacking tools and Rule 41 hacking requests to courts.
The GAO Request
Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Rep. Greg Casar, D-Texas, wrote to the Government Accountability Office on Friday to request the review. They asked GAO to review documented cases of federal law enforcement misusing hacking capabilities for personal or otherwise unauthorized reasons. The lawmakers also requested a review of safeguards agencies have against hacking abuses. The letter asks GAO to examine how agencies buy and protect sophisticated hacking tools. It also requests a review of how agencies make Rule 41 hacking requests to courts.
Spyware Use and Oversight
The lawmakers wrote that federal law enforcement agencies have used hacking and spyware as an investigative tool for more than 25 years. They noted that unlike traditional surveillance authorities such as wiretaps or pen registers, the government does not publish annual reports for hacking operations. The issue of U.S. government spyware usage has grown in prominence in President Donald Trump's second term. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has acknowledged working with spyware firm Paragon. Lawmakers have been asking whether that is the full extent of U.S. government reliance on spyware after the Biden administration largely shunned it.
Hacking Tool Acquisition
The Wyden and Casar letter is broader than just spyware. It touches on the federal government's acquisition of hacking tools. The letter references the case of a former senior official at defense contractor L3Harris who was sentenced this year for stealing and selling capabilities developed for the federal government. It also covers Rule 41 hacking powers.
2 sources
Wyden and Casar request GAO review of federal hacking of Americans
