FBI reportedly investigating Russian hack of The New York Times

CNN reported Tuesday that U.S. news organizations, including The New York Times, may have been targeted in a hack allegedly sanctioned by Russian intelligence. U.S. officials with knowledge of the situation told CNN that these hacks are thought to be connected to previous cyber breaches focused on the Democratic Party.

News organizations can "yield valuable intelligence on reporter contacts within the government, as well as communications and unpublished work with sensitive information," CNN pointed out, leading U.S. officials to believe this is another tactic for Russian spy agencies to gain insight into American politics.

The breach is reportedly under investigation by the FBI, and The New York Times has apparently "brought in private sector security investigators who are working with U.S. national security officials to assess the damage," CNN said.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

The New York Times did not confirm either the hack or the FBI investigation. "Like most news organizations we are vigilant about guarding against attempts to hack into our systems," New York Times Co. spokeswoman Eileen Murphy told CNN. "There are a variety of approaches we take up to and including working with outside investigators and law enforcement. We won't comment on any specific attempt to gain unauthorized access to the Times."