File photo, a security camera is shown on the second floor of a row of rooms at a motel in the USA. Hackers said they were aiming to call attention to the dangers of mass surveillance
Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
The United States Justice Department has charged a Swiss hacker with computer intrusion and identity theft, a week after a house raid by the Swiss police.
This content was published on
2 minutes
AP/Reuters/SWI swissinfo.ch/ilj
Till Kottmann, 21, has taken credit for helping to break into a US security-camera company’s online networks. The hacker justified the actions as an effort to raise awareness about the dangers of mass surveillance.
The hacker remains in Lucerne in Central Switzerland and has been notified about the pending charges, the US attorney’s office in Seattle said in a statementExternal link on Thursday.
US federal prosecutors said that Kottmann was initially charged in September. The range of allegations date back to 2019 and involve stealing credentials and data and publishing source code and proprietary information from more than 100 entities, including companies and government agencies.
Kottmann had described the most recent hack and leak of camera footage from customers of California security-camera provider Verkada as part of a “hacktivist” cause of exposing the dangers of mass surveillance. Acting US Attorney Tessa Gorman rejected those motives in a statement on Thursday.
According to the Associated Press, it’s not clear if US prosecutors intend to extradite Kottmann. The US statement said that the case was being investigated by the FBI Seattle Cyber Task Force and was being prosecuted in the United States, with assistance from “Canton of Lucerne Police, the Canton of Lucerne Prosecutor’s Office, and the Swiss Federal Office of Justice”.
Kottmann has not immediately responded to requests for comment from news agencies.
More
More
Do the Swiss have a weakness for surveillance?
This content was published on
On Sunday, almost two-thirds of Swiss voters approved the use of private investigators by insurance companies to catch fraudsters.
What do you think Switzerland’s Alain Berset can bring to the Council of Europe?
The former interior minister is to become the first Swiss Secretary General of the Council of Europe – which issues should his five-year term focus on?
Bodycams: essential for good law enforcement, or a privacy risk?
Did you ever come across bodycams in your place of residence and if so, how do you think the use of bodycams alter the relationship between the public and (transport) police?
What can be done to protect biodiversity in your country?
Swiss voters are set to decide on a people’s initiative calling for better protection of ecosystems in the country. Have your say on the September 22 vote.
Swiss politician resigns after firing shots at Jesus picture
This content was published on
Zurich politician Sanija Ameti has been heavily criticised and reported to the police after firing shots at a picture with a Christian motif.
Thousands of signatures for Bern initiative disappear
This content was published on
A package containing signatures to be certified for the city's minimum wage initiative has gone missing from the Bern City Chancellery.
Swiss Federal Railways reports lower profit, higher punctuality
This content was published on
Swiss Federal Railways made only half as much profit in the first half of 2024 as in the same period of the previous year.
Swiss Re sees demand for reinsurance rise amid natural disasters
This content was published on
Swiss Re anticipates an increase in demand for reinsurance coverage in response to growing environmental and political risks.
New labour agreement for Edelweiss pilots to come into force this year
This content was published on
The newly negotiated collective labor agreement (CLA) for cockpit staff at the airline Edelweiss is to be signed this year. According to the pilots' association, the original aim was for the new CLA to come into force in fall 2024.
This content was published on
The head of the group of experts for the Swiss government's savings proposals sees his work vindicated by the criticism coming from the right and the left.
Hotel rates already spiking ahead of 2025 Eurovision in Basel
This content was published on
A week after Basel was chosen to host the Eurovision Song Contest next year, hotel prices are soaring in neighboring cities.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Hack on US security-camera company sparks Swiss police raid
This content was published on
Swiss authorities confirmed a police raid on a Swiss hacker who broke into a US security-camera company’s online networks.
Digitalisation and surveillance at work: is your boss spying on you?
This content was published on
The increasing use of employee surveillance technology is causing concern in Switzerland, where the legal system is not set up to deal with it.
This content was published on
The hack was detected within two hours and the malicious links were removed, said the foundationExternal link, which regularly warns consumers about online fraud. The agency said it was unlikely that the hackers were trying to steal customer data but could not yet rule out the theft of people’s names, home and e-mail addresses or…
This content was published on
The Swiss Federal Court has ruled that the use of police video surveillance to gather evidence of a crime in a work space must be approved.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.