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crime11h ago
'Felony murder law does not require that a defendant pull the trigger': Ex-FBI chief calls for ransomware attackers to face homicide charges if attacks lead to deaths
- Ex-FBI cyber official says ransomware attackers could face felony murder charges if their actions cause hospital deaths.
- Kaiser cites University of Minnesota data linking at least 47 ransomware deaths from 2016–2021 in hospitals.
- Healthcare is identified as the top ransomware target, with attacks rising sharply in recent years.
- Kaiser advocates exploring terrorism designations to broaden sanctions on repeat hospital targets.
- Kaiser says authorities need more powers and resources to pursue these charges effectively.
- Kaiser notes some ransomware actors avoid hospitals to evade law enforcement attention.
- The testimony links hospital ransomware to fatalities and calls for policy changes.
- Kaiser urges the DOJ to apply existing felony murder laws to hospital ransomware cases.
- The discussion occurred during a U.S. House subcommittee hearing.
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