Trump Signs a Memorandum Letting Vetted Private Firms Run Government-Authorized Offensive Cyber Operations — With a $1M Bond Requirement

The White House (corroborated by The Record and Lawfare; r/singularity 453up/115c)·high signalXBlueskyLinkedInCopy link

A National Security Presidential Memorandum signed August 12 establishes a formal framework, managed by the National Coordination Center, for vetted US companies to conduct surveillance and infrastructure disruption against foreign transnational criminal organizations. Every operational package needs written NCC approval, actions risking death, injury or severe international escalation are banned, and participating firms must post a bond or escrow of at least $1 million forfeitable on non-compliance. White House officials explicitly rejected the 'cyber letters of marque' framing that immediately attached to it — 'that does not mean hack back.'