WASHINGTON (AP) – The U.S. government is rewriting a proposal under arms control rules from 20 years ago to make it simpler to export tools related to hacking and surveillance software. Those same technologies that hackers exploit are also used to secure computer networks.
The White House says it supports making cyber intrusion tools available overseas for legitimate cybersecurity activities.
Industry groups and lawmakers have raised fears that broad language intended to limit shipments of such hacking tools overseas would have unintended negative consequences for national cybersecurity and research.
The rule falls under the 1996 Wassenaar (WOSS-uh-narr) Arrangement, which governs export controls for arms and certain technologies. Many companies operate in multiple countries and routinely employ foreign nationals who test their own corporate networks across borders.