Cybercrime costs Americans billions of dollars each year, and much of it is tied to foreign hackers and criminal organizations. A new bill from Sen. Mike Lee aims to give the United States another tool to fight back.
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The legislation would allow approved cybersecurity experts to help the federal government disrupt cybercriminals and foreign adversaries under the president’s direction.
From the Daily Caller:
Lee’s legislation, dubbed the Cyber Letters of Marque and Reprisal Act, would authorize the president to direct online privateers to coordinate cyber attacks, seize stolen assets, and disrupt the operations of American adversaries and criminal organizations, according to the bill text obtained exclusively by the Caller.
Any seized funds or assets retrieved will be shared between the federal government and the digital privateer responsible for the operation.
“My legislation allows American digital privateers to raid cartels, cybercriminals, and foreign adversaries, disrupting their operations and seizing their assets,” Lee told the Caller. “This is the ultimate in white hat hacking: stealing from America’s enemies at the direction of the President, and splitting the profits with the federal government.”
The bill is based on a constitutional power that once allowed private citizens to help the government fight America’s enemies. Lee’s proposal would apply that idea to cyberspace by authorizing qualified experts to carry out operations against hackers and criminal networks.
According to the legislation, Americans lose billions of dollars every year to ransomware, hacking, fraud, and cryptocurrency scams. The bill notes that seniors are especially vulnerable. It also says many of these crimes are linked to foreign adversaries that use stolen money to fund other illegal activities.
Rep. Tim Burchett is sponsoring companion legislation in the House. He said cybercrime has become a serious national security threat and believes private experts can help strengthen the nation’s defenses.
Cybercrime is more than an inconvenience—it threatens families, businesses, and national security. As Congress considers new ways to protect Americans, let us pray that our leaders will have wisdom to stop those who seek to steal, exploit, and harm others while ensuring justice is carried out wisely.
Pray for wisdom for lawmakers as they consider this legislation. Ask God to protect Americans from cybercrime, expose those who use technology for evil, and strengthen those working to defend our nation’s security.
Share your scriptures and prayers in the comments below.
(Excerpt from the Daily Caller. Photo Credit: Microbiz Mag – https://www.flickr.com/photos/microbizmag/53344484803/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=141177757)
