Cyber Letters of Marque and Reprisal Act

This bill would let the President issue "cyber letters of marque and reprisal," which are federal commissions allowing private persons and companies to conduct cyber operations against foreign individuals or groups the President identifies as responsible for cyberattacks on Americans. Holders could disrupt, seize, and return assets and infrastructure located outside the United States, including digital assets, and could use malware and other offensive tools. Holders would have to post a security bond, could not knowingly target U.S. citizens or entities, and would have to keep activity logs for at least 5 years. The President could require up to 15 percent of recovered assets to go to the United States to fund a bounty program, with unused funds going to the Crime Victims Fund. Holders could not be sued for acts expressly authorized by their letter.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Mike Lee Republican sponsor
• 0 cosponsors