US public, election officials may be kept in the dark on hacks

A file photo of the Federal Bureau of Investigation headquarters building. Federal policies emphasising privacy over disclosure and a complex web of government officials could undermine improvements in communication and coordination if another cyberattack on US election systems occurs. — AP

WASHINGTON: If the FBI discovers that foreign hackers have infiltrated the networks of your county election office, you may not find out about it until after voting is over. And your governor and other state officials may be kept in the dark, too.

There's no US federal law compelling state and local governments to share information when an electoral system is hacked. And a federal policy keeps details secret by shielding the identity of all cyber victims regardless of whether election systems are involved.