Trump opens new front against cybercriminals, authorizing private firms for overseas operations

The United States is launching a new front in its battle against international cybercriminals, empowering private companies to conduct offensive cyber operations abroad under government oversight.

President Donald Trump has directed his administration to "leverage the capabilities and innovation of the private sector to conduct such cyber operations under the direction, control, and authorization of the U.S. government." This move aims to harness private sector expertise to disrupt the operations of transnational criminal organizations.

The White House highlighted that these international criminal groups are responsible for various cyber threats, including ransomware attacks, phishing campaigns, and financial fraud targeting Americans. In 2025 alone, U.S. consumers reported losses exceeding $20.8 billion due to cybercrimes.

The new memorandum establishes a framework for collaboration, encouraging private companies to form partnerships with other private entities and federal, state, or local agencies. The goal is to gather intelligence on threats posed by transnational criminal organizations and to propose cyber operations to counter them. Companies participating in the program, after undergoing vetting, may conduct "cyber-surveillance operations" and "cyber-effect operations" against designated targets under federal supervision.

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leverage the capabilities and innovation of the private sector to conduct such cyber operations under the direction, control, and authorization of the U.S. government