The FBI announced on September 23, 2026, that it is investigating claims made by a hacking group regarding the theft of sensitive data belonging to FBI agents and applicants. The group, known as ShinyHunters, alleged that it compromised the FBIJobs.gov portal, which is used by prospective employees to learn about job opportunities and apply for positions. The FBI stated that the point of breach is currently undetermined and that it is actively investigating the situation while collaborating with third-party providers to mitigate risks.
In a message directed to FBI Director Kash Patel and Brett Leatherman, the assistant director in charge of the bureau's cyber division, ShinyHunters claimed to hold sensitive data on nearly all FBI agents and job applicants. As of Wednesday afternoon, the jobs website remained offline. The claims made by ShinyHunters could not be independently verified, and an email sent to the group was not returned.
ShinyHunters expressed dissatisfaction with an FBI public advisory from May that labeled the group as a cyber criminal organization specializing in data breaches and extortion. The advisory characterized ShinyHunters as 'threat actors' who may exaggerate their claims to prompt payment from victims. In its message, ShinyHunters demanded the removal of these characterizations, stating that their actions are not financially motivated and are not intended as ransom or extortion.
The FBI has been a frequent target of hacking attempts. In March 2026, the agency reported suspicious activities on an internal system containing sensitive information related to its operations. Additionally, a pro-Iranian hacking group claimed to have accessed Patel's account, posting personal documents and photographs online. The FBI characterized the information compromised in that incident as historical and not involving current government data.