Environmental groups may have been targeted by Exxon lobbyists in
hack-and-leak operations

Date:
Fri, 13 Dec 2024 13:14:49 +0000

Description:
A group that worked on behalf of Exxon Mobil allegedly hacked into the emails
of environmental groups and leaked them to the press to hamper investigations
and lawsuits.

FULL STORY

A report by Reuters has claimed a group lobbying on behalf of energy giant
Exxon Mobil is allegedly being investigated for its targeted hack-and-leak
operations against critics of the oil industry. 

The report stated critics were targeted in a prolonged campaign between 2015
and 2018 which saw over 500 email accounts hit by attacks that were in an
apparent effort to stifle investigations and lawsuits being filed against
Exxon Mobil. 

Now, two Democratic senators and numerous environmental groups are calling 
for an investigation into the hacking and for greater accountability to be
levied against Exxon Mobil for its potential involvement.

Greater oversight 

In response to the report, Exxon Mobil denied having any involvement in the
attacks, further stating, if there was any hacking involved, we condemn it in
the strongest possible terms. 

The report stated the DCI Group, who was working on behalf of Exxon Mobil at
the time, was investigated by the FBI for hacking into oil industry critics
and leaking their emails to the press. DCI responded to the report in a
statement saying the company has not been involved in nor commissioned others
to hack or to obtain information unlawfully. 

Groups named as victims in the report include the Center for International
Environmental Law and The Union of Concerned Scientists, alongside several
other environmental organizations such as Oil Change International, SKD
Knickerbocker, and Earthworks. 

Senate Budget Chairman Sheldon Whitehouse voiced his concern at the
implications in the Reuters report stating that the Department of Justice, 
who have not yet commented on the allegations, should take a good, long look
at Exxon and its fellow fossil fuel flunkies. 

Senate Finance Chairman Ron Wyden echoed these concerns, emphasizing that
cyberespionage threatens the very core of America's democracy and
fundamentally undermines our justice system.

Via Reuters

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Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/pro/security/environmental-groups-may-have-been-targ
eted-by-exxon-lobbyists-in-hack-and-leak-operations

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