EXCLUSIVE: ShinyHunters hackers say they stole psychiatric and medical records of FBI staff - Reuters

The hacking group known as ShinyHunters has claimed responsibility for the theft of sensitive psychiatric and medical evaluation records belonging to Federal Bureau of Investigation personnel. The group, which first announced that it had breached the bureau on September 22, reportedly obtained granular details regarding employees and their specific assignments.

According to documents reviewed in relation to the incident, the stolen data includes information concerning bureau operations against various targets, including Russian intelligence, Chinese spies, and drug cartels. The exposure of such detailed personnel information has raised concerns regarding the potential for significant counterintelligence risks.

Industry experts have compared the potential impact of this breach to the 2015 intrusion into the Office of Personnel Management, which resulted in the exposure of sensitive clearance information for millions of individuals. There is concern that the newly acquired medical and psychiatric data could be highly sought after by foreign intelligence services looking to leverage the information against bureau staff.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has declined to comment on the specific nature of the stolen records. In a statement released on September 23, the bureau indicated that it is aggressively investigating the matter.

The ShinyHunters collective is recognized as a prominent and active hacking group. The current situation remains under scrutiny as officials assess the extent of the data compromise and the potential security implications for the personnel involved.