Democratic senator Ron Wyden has called on the U.S. government to review how federal agencies utilise hacking tools and spyware against Americans, citing a lack of transparency in their usage.
In a letter sent to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), Wyden requested an inquiry into the FBI, DEA, ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations, and the Secret Service's deployment of these technologies. He highlighted that there is little public information on their scope or frequency of use, unlike wiretaps which have annual reporting requirements.
Wyden’s requests to the GAO include investigating potential misuse by agents, reviewing agency acquisition and storage procedures, and assessing court notifications for warrant requests involving such tools. He also referenced a concerning case where stolen hacking tools were sold to Russian spies and cybercriminals.
This push for transparency comes amidst previous administrations’ reluctance to provide more information on the use of these technologies. Wyden’s letter underscores his belief that stronger oversight is necessary to prevent abuse and ensure judicial accountability in their deployment.
