Is it illegal for law enforcement agencies to use hacking tools?

ByMidhras

It was revealed that the Drug Enforcement Bureau, one of the law enforcement agencies in the United States and conducting a special investigation of illegal drugs, had purchased software for hacking developed by a software company in Italy. Whether it is illegal for law enforcement agencies to purchase and use hacking tools, Motherborad of IT related media is closer to the details.

FPDS-NG ezSearch
https://www.fpds.gov/ezsearch/fpdsportal?s=FPDS&q=CICOM+USA+GLOBAL_VENDOR_NAME%3A%22CICOM+USA++LLC

The DEA Has Been Secretly Buying Hacking Tools From An Italian Company | Motherboard
http://motherboard.vice.com/read/the-dea-has-been-secretly-buying-hacking-tools-from-an-italian-company

The US government has releasedFederal procurement data systemFrom the purchase record recorded in the drugs control office in ItalyHacking TeamIt was discovered that I purchased a hacking tool developed by a company named. The hacking tool bought by the Drug Enforcement Administration is software called "Remote Control System (RCS)" which allows attackers to intercept target calls, messages exchanged between mobile phones, messages exchanged on SNS, etc. , You can control PC webcam and microphone and collect passwords.

ByKovah

It was August 2012 that the Drug Enforcement Administration ordered the software for the first time. It is clear that FBI has incorporated hacking into the investigation in the United States, but the fact discovered this time found out that the Drug Enforcement Administration also uses hacking tools. However, it is unclear whether the Drug Enforcement Administration is using the software for hacking purposes.

According to the purchase record, we also know that $ 2.4 million (about 285 million yen) as a purchase contract for the hacking tool was paid by the Drug Enforcement Agency to a company named Cicom USA. Motherborad's survey found that Cicom USA, contracted by the Drug Enforcement Agency, is a reseller of the Hacking Team, and the Drug Enforcement Administration does not seem to purchase hacking tools directly from the Hacking Team.

The Hacking Team developing a hacking tool purchased by the Drug Enforcement Agency is a company that knows that it sells software dedicated to hacking to governments such as Ethiopia, UAE, Morocco, and sells hacking tools for the government I was criticized for what I was doing.

It is questionable that "It is illegal for law enforcement agencies to use hacking tools?" Motherborad of IT related media confirmed this case to the Drug Enforcement Administration Office "The authorities are in compliance with the laws.In this case, purchase of the Remote Control System is from the perspective of the law It is not illegal to watch, it is software that institutions around the world use, "he said. In other words, as long as the purchase and use of the Remote Control System and its products are illegal, the Drug Enforcement Administration is judging that it is not a problem.

ByTxmx 2

A surveillance software expert said, "The use of software developed for hacking purposes has not been determined to be clearly illegal in the United States, but the actions of the Drug Enforcement Administration may potentially be illegal "Pointed out. However, in order to judge it as illegal, it is necessary to develop appropriate legislation for the use of the hacking tool.

It was FBI that the use of the hacking tool was only revealed until this case was discovered. In 2001 FBI used software "Magic Lantern" to send virus to the target PC and steal encryption keyDiscoveredAlthough it is understood that the hacking tool is introduced to the investigation, it is not clear how to use the hacking tool for the investigation.

ByCliff

One of the most influential NGO organizations in the United StatesThe American Free Human Rights AssociationChristopher Soghoian of Mr. Christopher Soghoian said: "If law enforcement agencies can hack and steal citizen's PCs and steal materials, there should be a formal explanation and open discussion on this, institutions should have transparency There is a need for some response. "