A hacking group calling itself the Department of Peace breached the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's personnel files, exposing the names, phone numbers, and addresses of over 40,000 employees, operatives, and associates. The intrusion occurred via a subverted single sign-on system. The stolen data was shared with journalist Ryan Ottignon and hacker maia arson crimew, who created a searchable online database.
More than 21,000 records pertain to Customs and Border Protection, while 10,000 relate to Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations. The breach represents approximately one-fifth of DHS's 220,000-person workforce. In a statement, DHS acknowledged the incident and pledged to address it swiftly to ensure employees are properly protected.
Activists argue the leak provides critical oversight of covert operations and deportation programs, though officials involved in undercover work face increased risk. Ryan Ottignon rejected accusations of doxing, framing the release as necessary oversight of officials who hide their identities while conducting operations against communities. A note attached to the files declared, "They have our information, so it's only fair that we have theirs.".
Source: Hacker News · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing