The rise of AI-operated ransomware has escalated cyber threats to what security experts describe as a "civilization-level" danger, prompting the U.S. government to formally endorse private-sector countermeasures. Andrew Redbord and Giancarlo Magnifico-KTS have advocated for rapid retaliation against attackers, arguing that traditional law enforcement responses are too slow to match the speed of automated cybercriminal networks. A recent White House memo marks a significant policy shift by reviving the concept of "letters of marque," effectively authorizing private hackers to strike back at cybercriminals. This move transitions crypto privateering from theoretical op-ed proposals to actionable government-backed strategy. However, the directive explicitly prohibits privateers from targeting state-sponsored groups such as North Korea’s Lazarus Group, reserving those engagements for official government channels. The new framework outlines specific targets for authorized hacking-back operations, including dismantling scam compound infrastructure and executing financial clawbacks. While private actors gain legal cover to disrupt non-state cybercriminals, experts warn that expanding attack surfaces—such as PHP vulnerabilities and weak digital keys—continue to multiply risks across the digital ecosystem.