The FBI has raised alarm that hackers who breached AT&T’s system last year may have stolen months of agents’ call and text logs, which could potentially lead to the identities of anonymous informants connected to investigations, according to a document reviewed by Bloomberg.

While the hackers did not access the content of conversations, the stolen call log metadata—records of who called whom, when and for how long—poses significant risks, particularly the potential exposure of confidential informants and ongoing investigations.

The breach, which occurred through unauthorized access to AT&T’s workspace on the Snowflake cloud platform, compromised records from May 1 through Oct. 31, 2022, with additional exposure extending into early 2023. The breach reportedly targeted AT&T’s public safety services, which include communications used by government agencies like the FBI.

A spokesperson for the FBI told Reuters that the agency “has a solemn responsibility to protect the identity and safety of confidential human sources, who provide information every day that keeps the American people safe, often at risk to themselves.” In a following message, the spokesperson said FBI has a responsibility to protect the identities of “any individual who contacts the FBI and provides information.”

How Is Call Log Metadata Used In Investigations?

Call log metadata might seem innocuous at first glance, but in reality, it can reveal a wealth of sensitive information. In forensic analysis, call logs are a cornerstone for reconstructing communication networks, mapping relationships and identifying key players in criminal activities. These records can also contain location information. The misuse of this data by adversaries could have serious consequences.

Call logs have long been a critical tool in criminal investigations, helping law enforcement trace the connections between suspects, accomplices and victims. These logs offer a detailed timeline of communication, allowing investigators to piece together who was talking to whom, and when. In the wrong hands, this same data can become a powerful tool for adversaries. By analyzing call patterns, adversaries could potentially identify FBI agents’ contacts, some of whom may be confidential informants.

For instance, frequent calls between an agent and a particular number could point to an informant central to an investigation. Cross-referencing the stolen call logs with other publicly available data, such as social media or location records, could further expose informants’ identities and locations.

Call log metadata is often more valuable than the content of conversations in an investigation. It creates a timeline, establishes connections and provides context that can be critical to understanding the scope of criminal activity. Digital forensic experts use call log metadata to build cases, identify patterns and uncover hidden relationships.

In a criminal context, these insights are used by law enforcement in the dismantling of criminal networks and identifying key players. For the defense, call log evidence can help in establishing alibis and identifying other persons of interest.

However, when metadata is exposed, the same tools that aid investigations can be weaponized against law enforcement—with adversaries using the stolen call logs to map out investigative networks, identify key informants or attempt to predict the FBI’s next moves. This breach underscores how seemingly minor data—like who called whom—can represent a major threat.

The FBI has been contacted for comment. When they respond, this article will be updated accordingly.

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