ExpressVPN executive facing fine over UAE spying probe

Date:
Thu, 16 Sep 2021 10:59:21 +0000

Description:
$1.6 million fine secures ExpressVPNs CIO and fellow former US military members deferred prosecution from hacking charges.

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Daniel Gericke, chief information officer of ExpressVPN , is among the three former US intelligence and military personnel who have agreed to jointly pay
a fine of more than $1.6million to resolve cybercrime charges against them.

According to a release issued by the US Department of Justice (DoJ), the three have been charged for their involvement in Project Raven, where they allegedly worked as mercenary hackers for the United Arab Emirates.

Despite being informed on several occasions that their work for U.A.E. CO, under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), constituted a defense service requiring a license from the State Departments Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC), the defendants proceeded to provide such services without a license, explains the DoJ. TechRadar needs you!

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The DoJ explains that three have decided to pay the fine to resolve the charges that included overseeing the creation of zero-click computer hacking and intelligence gathering systems for the UAE government. Busy week for ExpressVPN

According to reports, Project Raven, first exposed in 2019 , involved the creation and use of zero-click surveillance tools by the UAE allegedly
against vocal critics of UAEs human rights record.

The three defendants have now agreed to cooperate with US authorities and pay the fine in exchange for deferred prosecution.

The release notes that the three have also forfeited foreign and US security clearances and face future employment restrictions, though ExpressVPN
stressed in an email to CNET that its trust in Gericke "remains strong."

"We've known the key facts relating to Daniel's employment history since before we hired him, as he disclosed them proactively and transparently with us from the start. In fact, it was his history and expertise that made him an invaluable hire for our mission to protect users' privacy and security," ExpressVPN told CNET .

Notably, the DoJ resolution comes on the heels of ExpressVPNs acquisition by Kape Technologies in a deal valued close to $1 billion. Weve also rounded up the best business VPN services

Via CNET



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/expressvpn-executive-facing-fine-over-uae-spyin g-probe/


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