Ethical Hacking News
The FBI has long been concerned about the threat of ubiquitous technical surveillance (UTS), but a recent report by the Justice Department highlights the severity of this issue. A sophisticated hacker hired by the Sinaloa drug cartel breached the phone of an FBI official investigating kingpin Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, demonstrating the ease with which organized crime groups can exploit advanced hacking tools to track law enforcement officials and conceal their own activities.
The US Justice Department has reported on the growing threat of ubiquitous technical surveillance (UTS) in the country. A sophisticated hacker breached the phone of an FBI official investigating Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, highlighting the vulnerability of law enforcement officials to UTS threats. Organized crime groups and less sophisticated nations exploit advanced hacking tools to track law enforcement officials and conceal their activities. Commercially available hacking and surveillance tools make it easier for these actors to evade detection. The Justice Department considers the UTS threat an "existential threat" with significant concerns about sensitive information being accessed and exploited. Law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, have inadequate responses to UTS threats, with gaps in policies and procedures. The report recommends improved training, enhanced policies, and more effective strategies to combat UTS threats.
The recent report by the Justice Department has shed light on the growing threat of ubiquitous technical surveillance (UTS) in the United States. According to the report, a sophisticated hacker hired by the Sinaloa drug cartel successfully breached the phone of an FBI official investigating kingpin Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. This brazen attack is just one example of the numerous instances where organized crime groups and less sophisticated nations have exploited advanced hacking tools to track law enforcement officials and conceal their own activities.
The report highlights the existence of a "menu of services" offered by hackers, including exploiting mobile phones and other electronic devices, camera system surveillance, and financial data analysis. These UTS threats are often carried out using commercially available hacking and surveillance tools, which have made it easier for these actors to evade detection and stay one step ahead of law enforcement.
The Justice Department report emphasizes the existence of an "existential threat" posed by these sophisticated technical means. According to sources within the FBI and CIA, this threat has been identified as a major concern in recent decades. The report notes that the advancements in hacking tools have made it easier for less sophisticated nations and criminal enterprises to access and exploit sensitive information.
The case of the Sinaloa drug cartel's attack on the FBI official is just one example of the widespread use of UTS threats. In another instance, the leader of an organized crime family suspected an employee of being an informant and attempted to confirm this suspicion by searching call logs for phone numbers connected to law enforcement. Similarly, credit or debit card transaction reports compiled by commercial data brokers have been used to identify potential informants.
The report also highlights the inadequate response to the UTS threat within the FBI. Following a 2022 memorandum, the FBI was expected to improve its training and procedures to address this issue. However, the latest report reveals that these efforts were insufficient, and there were "gaps in the FBI's policies and procedures for responding to such breaches."
The Justice Department report recommends several actions to address the UTS threat, including thoroughly documenting vulnerabilities, finalizing a UTS strategic plan, establishing a clear line of authority for responding to incidents, assessing training needs, and expanding advanced training modules.
This report serves as a stark reminder of the ever-evolving nature of UTS threats. As technology continues to advance, it is essential that law enforcement agencies stay ahead of these sophisticated actors. The Justice Department's findings underscore the need for improved training, enhanced policies, and more effective strategies to combat this growing threat.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/Existential-Threat-The-Ubiquitous-Surveillance-State-and-the-Rise-of-Sophisticated-Technical-Means-ehn.shtml
https://arstechnica.com/security/2025/06/mexican-drug-cartel-hacked-fbi-officials-phone-to-track-informant-report-says/
https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/28/politics/mexican-drug-cartel-fbi-hack-informants
Published: Mon Jun 30 15:20:40 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
