The Associated Press filed a lawsuit against the FBI because it allegedly used the name of the agency to distribute false malware-related news. Of course, the FBI's goal was to distribute malicious software to computer suspects for criminal activities.
The news agency, along with the Reports Committee for Freedom of the Press (RCFP), filed a lawsuit against the feds on Thursday in US District Court in Washington, DC, asking the court compel the FBI to hand over all information related to online impersonation.
According to the Associated Press lawsuit (PDF), the incident happened when the FBI was investigating bombing threats against a high school in Washington State.
Hoping to lure the person behind a MySpace account they believed was linked to the threats, FBI agents set up an Associated Press website and published an article entitled "High School Bomb Threat Ended by Local Police Department."
On the website in question, there was also a script that he could install secretly spyware. Μετά την δημιουργία της fakewebsite, the feds sent a link to the MySpace account they were interested in via a private message.
When the suspect (an 15 student) clicked on the link to read the alleged story, the FBI website installed the surveillance tool that allowed agents to locate the suspect.
The spyware verified the student's computer IP obtained their MAC address and computer information Windows which he used, all the evidence that was required for the arrest of the child. The stealth installation of the malware was carried out with a search warrant.
The Associated Press and RCFP claim that by mimicking the site and the name of the company in general, the FBI has undermined its credibility as a news agency.
"This practice undermines the credibility of independent mass media informations, and we must not recover it," said RCFP director Katie Townsend.
"And while the public is clearly interested in learning more about the use of this tactic by the FBI, the FBI seems determined to refuse to provide the information."
So the Associated Press and the RCFP are asking the FBI to release all documents related to this scam that appear to be in violation of the Freedom of Information Act. They also demand that the FBI be charged with the costs of litigation as well as the lawyer's fee.
