A huge group of scholars is refusing to let the sophisticated hacks that marred the U.S. election be forgotten. Dozens of experts in cybersecurity, defense, elections and authoritarian regimes have signed an open letter calling on members of Congress to investigate reports of hacking by foreign powers in an effort to influence the outcome of the U.S. election. The letter called for a particular focus on Russia’s involvement. “In this case, what is right is simple: our country needs a thorough, public Congressional investigation into the role that foreign powers played in the months leading up to November,” the experts wrote. “As representatives of the American people, Congress is best positioned to conduct an objective investigation.”
Representatives of the Russian government were in contact with Donald Trump’s inner circle during the president-elect’s campaign, according to The New York Times, who spoke with a Russian diplomat. The U.S. has also accused Russia of hacking into institutions such as the Democratic National Committee and releasing information stolen in those hacks in order to swing the election. Trump, who has alarmed many U.S. officials with his kind words for Russian President Vladimir Putin, was the candidate clearly preferred by Putin and the Russian government.
“We emphasize that nothing in our collective call for an investigation is meant to question the outcome of the November election,” the letter continues. “We simply know that turning a blind eye to such involvement would send a global green light to hackers and others intent on undermining our democratic institutions.”
Full Article: Cybersecurity experts write open letter calling U.S. hacking investigation.