U.S. lawmakers seek GAO review of federal hacking and spyware use

Senator Ron Wyden and Representative Greg Casar have requested that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) conduct a review of how federal law enforcement agencies utilize hacking tools and spyware against Americans. The lawmakers noted that while these technologies have been used for over 25 years, there is a lack of public information regarding their frequency, scope, and operational safeguards.

The requested investigation aims to cover agencies including the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, Secret Service, and Homeland Security Investigations. The lawmakers seek an unclassified report detailing agency practices, technical controls, and auditing systems designed to prevent misuse. They specifically highlighted concerns regarding the potential for rogue personnel to use these invasive tools for unauthorized or personal purposes, noting that such access can compromise webcams, location data, and encrypted communications.

Additionally, the request asks the GAO to examine how agencies acquire and secure hacking tools, and whether they follow protocols for notifying technology companies about software vulnerabilities. The review will also investigate the information provided to judges when agencies seek authorization for hacking operations, specifically whether they disclose the risk of affecting unintended targets.