Google is Getting Ready to 'Hack Back' as US Considers Shifting from Cyber Defense to Offense — New 'Scam Farms' Bill Opens Up New Retaliatory Hacking Actions

The United States government is on the cusp of a significant shift in its approach to cyber defense, with a new bill aiming to allow private companies like Google to engage in offensive cyber operations against hackers. This development has sparked both excitement and concern among cybersecurity experts and industry leaders.

According to CyberScoop, Google Threat Intelligence Group vice president Sandra Joyce recently revealed that the company is planning to form a "disruption unit" in the coming months. "What we're doing in the Google Threat Intelligence Group is intelligence-led proactive identification of opportunities where we can actually take down some type of campaign or operation," Joyce said. "We have to get from a reactive position to a proactive one … if we’re going to make a difference right now."

Joyce's revelation arrived at an event hosted by the Center for Cybersecurity Policy and Law, which published a report titled "To Hack Back, or Not Hack Back? That is the Question … or is it?" in May. The report raises several questions about the ethics and effectiveness of allowing private companies to engage in offensive cyber operations.

The U.S. government has already taken steps in this direction with the passage of the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" in July, which earmarked $1 billion for offensive cyber operations. This development was seen as a significant shift away from traditional defensive approaches, and it's clear that the administration is prioritizing proactive measures to counter cyber threats.

The latest bill, known as the "Scam Farms Marque and Reprisal Authorization Act of 2025," aims to provide the President with authority to issue letters of marque and reprisal against hackers targeting U.S. organizations. If passed, this legislation would effectively allow private companies like Google to engage in retaliatory hacking actions.

The term "letters of marque" is an old-fashioned concept that originated during the Age of Sail. In essence, it refers to a document issued by a government or military leader authorizing them to use armed ships to conduct raids against enemy vessels. The idea behind this bill is to update this concept for the digital age.

While some might view this shift as a positive development, others are more cautious. Cybersecurity experts have warned that unleashing private companies on hackers could lead to unintended consequences and escalation. "The only thing missing from this bill is a provision allowing the use of muskets and cutlasses," joked one expert. "That doesn't necessarily mean that being more proactive in cyber defense would be ill-advised, but it's clear that the current approach isn't working."

Cybercriminals regularly target U.S. organizations with ransomware, steal their intellectual property, and siphon off money used to fund weapons programs. In some cases, hackers even manage to breach critical infrastructure, posing significant risks to national security.

The U.S. government's decision to allow private companies like Google to engage in offensive cyber operations is a massive change from the status quo. While it's too early to say whether this shift will ultimately prove effective or disastrous, one thing is clear: the era of "hack back" has officially begun.

What Do You Think? Should Companies Like Google be Allowed to Engage in Offense Cyber Operations?

The debate surrounding this issue is likely to continue for some time. As we wait to see how this legislation plays out, one thing is certain: the cyber landscape has just gotten a lot more complicated – and potentially a lot more dangerous.