Key facts
- Hacked FBI data allegedly contains sensitive information about employee job assignments, including work against Chinese and Russian intelligence.
- The stolen data reportedly includes names, addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth, and social security numbers of FBI employees.
- The hacking group ShinyHunters claimed to have stolen two to three terabytes of data.
- The FBI is aware of the alleged breach and is actively investigating the matter.
- Reuters verified details for more than 22 individuals by cross-referencing the hacked data with external records.
The FBI is investigating a data breach allegedly carried out by the hacking group ShinyHunters, which has reportedly exposed sensitive information about bureau officials' job assignments, including counterespionage work against foreign adversaries and criminal organizations. The stolen data, described by the hackers as a small portion of a larger trove, includes personal details such as names, addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth, and social security numbers for numerous FBI employees. The FBI acknowledged awareness of the claims and stated that the cause of the breach is still undetermined, but that an investigation is underway. ShinyHunters claimed on Tuesday to have breached the FBI and is reportedly holding the data hostage, demanding the bureau rescind a statement made about the group in May. The group also stated they are attempting to limit the circulation of the stolen personnel information. Reuters has been able to individually verify the details of more than 22 individuals by cross-referencing information in the hacked data with credit records and previous data leaks from the dark web intelligence platform District 4 Labs, though the outlet has not authenticated the entire spreadsheet.