Now, The New York Times has reported, citing unnamed US officials, that the recent blackout was indeed the result of a cyberattack. This marks the first time the US government has publicly acknowledged carrying out such a hacking operation. According to the Times, US forces also used hacking tools to disable Venezuelan air defense radar prior to the operation. US Cyber Command mentioned in a somewhat vague statement that it was “proud to support Operation Absolute Resolve,” the name given to the Venezuelan mission.
The Times noted that power was restored “quickly”—potentially a deliberate act by Cyber Command—and that there were no fatalities in hospitals, thanks to backup generators. Up until now, only Russia’s hacker group, Sandworm, had caused blackouts through cyberattacks, having turned off power in various parts of Ukraine at least three times since 2015. When questioned by a WIRED reporter about why the US had not publicly condemned a blackout attack in Kyiv in 2016, Tom Bossert, a top cyber official under Trump, suggested that the US needed the flexibility to conduct such attacks when deemed necessary. “If you and I were in the Captain America chair and decided to go to war with someone, we might cut off power and communications to gain a strategic advantage,” Bossert remarked.
It remains uncertain whether the US was officially at war with Venezuela at the time of the operation. Regardless, this cyberattack signifies yet another unprecedented move from an administration that seems to disregard traditional norms.
Journalist Laura Jedeed didn’t expect a response after applying to be a deportation officer while covering an ICE recruitment expo. She ignored emails, skipped a drug test, avoided paperwork, and her critical views on ICE and the Trump administration are easily found online. Yet, she still received a “Welcome to ICE!” email detailing her start date.
The Trump administration has made a significant effort to quickly hire a large number of officers; in December, the Department of Homeland Security announced that it had received over 220,000 applications for more than 10,000 ICE officer positions. Jedeed’s experience raises concerns about the level of vetting conducted on candidates during the application process.
An AI tool intended to review resumes for potential ICE agent candidates and categorize them based on prior law enforcement experience was reportedly malfunctioning, according to two law enforcement officials who spoke with NBC News. Applicants without previous law enforcement backgrounds were expected to undergo eight weeks of in-person training on immigration law. Instead, candidates who simply had the word “officer” in their resumes—regardless of context—were placed in a shorter online course. A DHS spokesperson confirmed this affected around 200 hires, who later attended the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center for complete training.
Palantir’s for-profit collaboration with DHS amid the surge in mass deportations is well-known. However, 404 Media has exposed the specific app Palantir developed for ICE that assists in targeting individuals and determining neighborhoods for raids. The tool, called Enhanced Leads Identification & Targeting for Enforcement (ELITE), provides a map with potential targets and scores indicating their likelihood of residing at certain addresses, using data gathered from official and surveillance sources. “This app allows ICE to identify the nearest person to arrest and detain, leveraging both government and commercial data,” Senator Ron Wyden told 404 Media. “It undermines the premise that ICE is working to make our country safer. Instead, agents seem to select individuals for deportation in a manner reminiscent of choosing a nearby coffee shop.”
Iran’s internet blackouts, occurring amid ongoing protests, have been among the longest and most extensive in history. Nevertheless, some activists are managing to stay connected, thanks to efforts to smuggle Starlink satellite internet devices into the country. Activists told The New York Times that around 50,000 satellite modems are currently in Iran, providing a means of internet access despite government restrictions and helping to spread information about a violent crackdown on protests that has resulted in thousands of deaths. Several activists expressed concern to the Times that Starlink’s owner, Elon Musk, might change his stance, thereby making the service inaccessible, similar to his actions in China, a nation known for its internet censorship.
