Lawmakers ask Commerce to sanction Indian firms involved in mercenary hacking
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ByDavid DiMolfetta,
Cybersecurity Reporter, Nextgov/FCW
September 9, 2026 02:21 PM ET
The “hack-for-hire” entities have systematically targeted newsrooms covering corporate fraud, legal teams in high-stakes litigation and NGOs.
A bipartisan, bicameral group of lawmakers is asking the Commerce Department to sanction a trio of Indian firms involved in mercenary hacking activities against U.S. citizens and companies.
Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., alongside Rep. Pat Harrigan, R-N.C., asked Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnik on Wednesday to impose penalties on Sunkissed Organic Farms — previously branded as Appin — BellTroX and CyberRoot, according to a letter sent Wednesday.
The three firms were exposed in a 2023 Reuters investigation into a global “hack-for-hire” industry operating out of India. BellTroX was also identified in a 2020 Citizen Lab investigation into mercenary hacking activities.
The entities systematically targeted newsrooms covering corporate fraud,...
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