ShinyHunters website goes offline after FBI deadline expires
· CNA · JoinRead a summary of this article on FAST.
Get bite-sized news via a new
cards interface. Give it a try.
Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FAST
FAST
Sept 30 : The website used by ShinyHunters, the group that claimed responsibility for a recent hack of thousands of FBI agents' personal and sensitive data, went offline on Wednesday, a day after the group's deadline for the FBI to retract or modify a statement about the group's tactics and track record expired.
• ShinyHunters, a prolific cyber extortion group with a long record of targeting major corporations around the world, told Reuters and other news organizations on September 22 that it had stolen data "on almost ALL FBI Agents, and individuals who filed an application with the FBI for a job."
• A Reuters analysis of a sample of the data shared by the hackers subsequently revealed that the data contained extensive personally identifiable information, sensitive job role information, and psychiatric and medical information.
• Reuters could not determine why the site was offline. ShinyHunters could not be reached for comment.
CNA Games
Guess Word
Crack the word, one row at a time
Buzzword
Create words using the given letters
Mini Sudoku
Tiny puzzle, mighty brain teaser
Mini Crossword
Small grid, big challenge
Word Search
Spot as many words as you can
Show More
Show Less
• The hackers said they targeted the FBI in response to a May 2026 FBI advisory about the group that the hackers felt misrepresented their prior actions. They gave the FBI a week to either "correct or simply REMOVE" the advisory.
• The advisory remains online. ShinyHunters later said it had no intention of publishing the data it stole and that it accomplished its goals.
• The FBI said on September 23 that it was "actively and aggressively investigating" the breach. The agency declined to comment on Wednesday on whether it had taken any actions to force the hackers' site offline. Brett Leatherman, assistant director of the FBI's Cyber Division, urged the hackers in a video published on the agency's website on September 29 to get in touch with the FBI "while the choice is still yours."
• Dutch police announced this week that on September 15 they had arrested a Dutch man in connection with an investigation into ShinyHunters. The hacking group told Reuters the man had "no association" with them and mocked the Dutch police as "incompetent."
Newsletter
Week in Review
Subscribe to our Chief Editor’s Week in Review
Our chief editor shares analysis and picks of the week's biggest news every Saturday.
Sign up for our newsletters
Get our pick of top stories and thought-provoking articles in your inbox
Get the CNA app
Stay updated with notifications for breaking news and our best stories
Get WhatsApp alerts
Join our channel for the top reads for the day on your preferred chat app