US Government Employee Discovers 187,000 Explicit Images on Work Laptop, Loses Nuclear Secrets Access

A US Department of Energy (DOE) employee’s security clearance was revoked after he uploaded 187,000 pornographic images to his work laptop, intending to use them with AI tools. The incident occurred in March 2023, prompting an investigation when large backups appeared on the government network. The employee, claiming mental health issues, stated he acted during a depressive episode and intended to use the images for an AI-image generator. In 2024, an Administrative Judge upheld the revocation of his network authorization, citing compromised judgment and trustworthiness due to his mental state. Despite presenting evidence of his mental illness, the DOE psychologist’s evaluation indicated a fair prognosis for avoiding future episodes that could jeopardize security. The DOE emphasized the serious implications of misusing information technology, particularly concerning access to sensitive materials, including nuclear information. Adhering to strict cybersecurity practices is paramount across government sectors.

Source link