MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 16th August, 2018) US President Donald Trump has reversed a directive introduced by his predecessor Barack Obama, which restricted conducting cyberattacks against US adversaries, media reported, citing sources familiar with the situation.
The classified document, known as Presidential Policy Directive 20, which regulated US authorities' cyber operations against other states, was signed by Obama in 2012, however its content was made public only after it was leaked by former US intelligence contractor Edward Snowden a year later, according to The Wall Street Journal.
It is still unknown, whether the Trump administration has adopted some new rules in this sphere, however, the cancellation of the previous document was confirmed by several acting US officials, the publication said, adding that no further details had been provided due to the classified nature of the policy.
According to the media outlet, the move was aimed at supporting US military operations, preventing foreign interference in internal affairs and thwarting attempts to steal intellectual property among other things.
In July, US Cyber Command head and National Security Agency Director Paul Nakasone said he had already set up a new task force to address Russian threats in cyberspace. These measures were taken amid growing allegations of Russia's interference in the US presidential election in 2016.
The United States has repeatedly accused Russia of interfering in the 2016 presidential election. US Special Counsel Robert Mueller's team has been investigating allegations of collusion between Russia and Trump's campaign. Trump and top Russian officials have repeatedly refuted the allegations.
