Canadian hacker charged for allegedly stealing data from Texas GOP in 2021 [Video]

AUSTIN, Texas — A Canadian national has been arrested and charged with stealing data from the Texas Republican Party.

According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), 37-year-old Aubrey Cottle, from Oshawa, Ontario, is accused of hacking TexasGOP.org in 2021.

A criminal complaint alleges that Cottle gained unauthorized access to a third-party hosting company’s computer system to download a backup of Texas Republican Party’s web server, which contained personal identifying information. The information was then shared online and made available for download.

Cottle allegedly claimed responsibility for the attack on social media, and a subsequent search of his devices revealed that he was in possession of stolen data.

Cottle has been charged with unlawfully transferring, possessing or using a means of identification with the intent to commit, or aid or …