PN tells government to stop investigating young ethical hackers
pIn a statement on Tuesday the PN stated that the prolonged investigation has left the students in a legal limbo resulting in them secondguessing their enthusiasm for cybersecurityppThe Nationalist Party has called on government to put an end to the prolonged investigation into four young ethical hackers noting their talent is currently being wasted instead of used properly
ppIn 2023 Giorgio Grigolo Michael Debono Luke Bjorn Scerri and Luke Collins were scanning through the software of student app FreeHour when they found a vulnerability they say could be exploited by malicious hackers
ppThey emailed their findings to FreeHours owner and asked for a reward or bug bounty for spotting the mistake But instead of a payoff the University of Malta students were arrested stripsearched and had their computer equipment seized
ppIn a statement on Tuesday the PN stated that the prolonged investigation has left the students in a legal limbo resulting in them secondguessing their enthusiasm for cybersecurity We cannot let fear undercut innovation the PN said
ppThe opposition noted that this case is indicative of governments negligence towards young talent They mentioned the European Cybersecurity Challenges in Turin as a missed opportunity for the students and Malta
ppThe PN further took note of the lack of national policy on cybersecurity which is creating a situation where digital innovation in this sector is not being nurtured
ppIts imperative that a comprehensive cybersecurity policy is delivered soon so that young people have the space to develop their skills
ppThe statement was signed by shadow ministers Ivan J Bartolo and Bernice Bonelloppp
ppIn 2023 Giorgio Grigolo Michael Debono Luke Bjorn Scerri and Luke Collins were scanning through the software of student app FreeHour when they found a vulnerability they say could be exploited by malicious hackers
ppThey emailed their findings to FreeHours owner and asked for a reward or bug bounty for spotting the mistake But instead of a payoff the University of Malta students were arrested stripsearched and had their computer equipment seized
ppIn a statement on Tuesday the PN stated that the prolonged investigation has left the students in a legal limbo resulting in them secondguessing their enthusiasm for cybersecurity We cannot let fear undercut innovation the PN said
ppThe opposition noted that this case is indicative of governments negligence towards young talent They mentioned the European Cybersecurity Challenges in Turin as a missed opportunity for the students and Malta
ppThe PN further took note of the lack of national policy on cybersecurity which is creating a situation where digital innovation in this sector is not being nurtured
ppIts imperative that a comprehensive cybersecurity policy is delivered soon so that young people have the space to develop their skills
ppThe statement was signed by shadow ministers Ivan J Bartolo and Bernice Bonelloppp
