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Over 300 U.S. Firms Targeted By North Korean Job Scam
- Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
- Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Former Content Manager
An Arizona woman was sentenced to over eight years of prison for helping North Korean hackers.
In a rush? Here are the quick facts:
- Hackers used stolen U.S. identities to get remote jobs at 300+ companies.
- The scam funneled millions of dollars back to North Korea.
- The FBI seized 90+ laptops and linked them to fake workers.
The hackers used the woman’s help to pretend to be American workers and secure remote job positions at over 300 U.S. companies. The fraud, reported by ArsTechnica , funneled millions of dollars back to North Korea.
ArsTechnica reports how Christina Chapman operated a “laptop farm” from her home. She received corporate laptops which North Korean operatives used to pretend they worked as U.S.-based remote employees.
Whilst logging in from China and North Korea, the operatives used VPNs and AnyDesk remote software to access devices, participate in Zoom meetings, and received paychecks.
ArsTechnica reports that Chapman admitted to sending I-9 forms and occasionally shipping equipment to a Chinese city near the North Korean border. She explained to the judge that she accepted the position to support her mother during cancer treatment while believing she was helping others.
She wrote , “the area where we lived didn’t provide for a lot of job opportunities that fit what I needed. I also thought that the job was allowing me to help others. ”
She also apologized, thanking the FBI for catching her and expressing plans to start an underwear company and publish books after prison. But authorities said the damage was real.
ArsTechnica reports that one identity theft victim described the emotional toll in court:
“Although identity theft is not a physical assault, the psychological and financial damage is lasting. It feels like someone broke into my life, impersonated me, and left me to pick up the pieces. There is a lingering fear that my information is still out there, ready to be misused again.”
The FBI discovered more than 90 laptops at Chapman’s residence, which included identification notes for each fake worker. ArsTechnica reports that Chapman received a 102-month prison sentence and must surrender $284,999 and pay back $176,000.
Image by Shino Nakamura, from Unsplash
AI To Slash U.S. Federal Rules Under Trump’s Deregulation Plan
- Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
- Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Former Content Manager
The Trump administration is using AI systems to reduce government regulations at a fast pace.
In a rush? Here are the quick facts:
- DOGE has reviewed 1,083 rules at the Housing Department so far.
- AI flagged 100% of rules for elimination at the Consumer Finance agency.
- Critics warn AI may misread complex laws and cut vital protections.
The Washington Post obtained documents showing that the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) will use its “DOGE AI Deregulation Decision Tool” to reduce federal regulations by 50% by January 2026.
The Post reports that the AI system has already processed 1,083 regulatory sections at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in under two weeks. At the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, it reportedly wrote “100% of deregulations.”
The AI tool will analyze 200,000 federal rules to suggest the removal of 100,000 regulations which have lost their legal basis. “Creative deployment of artificial intelligence to advance the president’s regulatory agenda is one logical strategy,” said James Burnham, former DOGE chief attorney, as reported by The Post.
White House spokesperson Harrison Fields confirmed, “All options are being explored,” but noted that “no single plan has been approved or green-lit,” as reported by the Post.
He added, “The DOGE experts creating these plans are the best and brightest in the business and are embarking on a never-before-attempted transformation of government systems and operations to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.”
Critics warn that AI may misinterpret legal language. One HUD employee said the tool wrongly flagged some rules as outside legal bounds. “Actually, no—the AI read the language wrong, and it is actually correct,” the employee noted, as reported by The Post.
Despite concerns, DOGE expects the tool to be rolled out across federal agencies over the next five months. The Post added that Trump’s executive order requires cutting 10 rules for every new one added, part of his goal to “unleash prosperity through deregulation.”
The goal, according to a DOGE PowerPoint , is to “Relaunch America on Jan. 20, 2026.”
