As geopolitical tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran continue to escalate, so do the cyberattacks. This week, the group **Handala** made a splash with claims of a successful breach targeting a high-profile individual. ### Kash Patel's Email Account Breached **Handala**, described as a potentially opportunistic group focused on propaganda value, announced they had hacked an email account belonging to **Kash Patel**, a former government official. The group stated, “The so-called ‘impenetrable’ systems of the **FBI** were brought to their knees within hours by our team.” Emails, apparently from Patel's Gmail account, were posted on the hacker's website. These included messages and photos dating from 2010 to 2019, covering hotel reservations, business deals, and personal travel. A **Justice Department** official confirmed the breach to **Reuters**, stating that the leaked emails appeared authentic. ### FBI Claim Debunked (For Now) While **Handala** claimed to have breached the **FBI**, evidence suggests the attack was limited to Patel's personal Gmail account. Cybersecurity experts describe **Handala** as a group whose attacks are often designed for propaganda purposes. While the emails initially reviewed did not appear to contain classified information, **TechCrunch** reported that Patel may have forwarded emails from his Justice Department account to his personal Gmail in 2014. ### Other Security News This Week * **VPNs and NSA Surveillance:** A letter from US lawmakers questions whether US surveillance authorities allow the **National Security Agency (NSA)** to target people who use a VPN. * **Data Privacy Concerns:** An excerpt from *Your Data Will Be Used Against You* highlights how fitness trackers and biometric surveillance are further degrading privacy. * **Sanctions Against Xinbi Guarantee:** The United Kingdom has imposed sanctions against **Xinbi Guarantee**, a black market that allegedly facilitated $20 billion in illicit sales on **Telegram**.