• Home
  • News
  • Fortune 500
  • Tech
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
Techhacker

15-Year-Old Boy Arrested Under Hacking Act

By
Don Reisinger
Don Reisinger
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Don Reisinger
Don Reisinger
Down Arrow Button Icon
February 19, 2016, 1:00 PM ET
171110589
cyber crime hacker typing on laptopPhotograph by Benjamin Howell — Getty Images

A 15-year-old boy has been arrested in Scotland over charges that he violated the U.K.’s anti-hacking regulations.

“Following a search of a property in the Glasgow area on Tuesday, February 16, a 15-year-old male was arrested in connection with alleged offenses under the Computer Misuse Act 1990,” a spokesman for Police Scotland told Fortune on Friday. “He has since been released from custody.”

The Computer Misuse Act has three sections, including sentencing guidelines for intentionally obtaining unauthorized access to computers and modifying their settings. It acts as the U.K.’s central hacker-fighting law and can send people to jail for several years depending on the number of charges they face.

While the Police Scotland spokesman declined to provide additional details, Vice Motherboard, a technology news outlet, claims to have spoken with sources who say the boy was a hacker known online as “Cubed.” He was also a member of the hacking group “Crackas With Attitude,” Motherboard is reporting, citing a close friend.

Get Data Sheet, Fortune’s technology newsletter.

Crackas With Attitude (CWA) has been one of the more active hacking groups targeting the U.S. government. The group in October took responsibility for hacking the personal email account owned by John Brennan, director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency. Soon after, Twitter accounts allegedly owned by the hackers posted screenshots of sensitive U.S. information, including phone call logs and Social Security numbers of several U.S. officials.

“The hacking of the Brennan family account is a crime and the Brennan family is the victim,” CIA spokesman Dean Boyd said in a statement at that time. “The private electronic holdings of the Brennan family were plundered with malicious intent and are now being distributed across the web. This attack is something that could happen to anyone and should be condemned, not promoted.”

While the CIA never confirmed that CWA was behind the attacks, the hacking group didn’t stop there. Indeed, the group has claimed to have hacked other accounts owned by high-ranking officials, including U.S. Director of National Intelligence James Clapper. The group may have also been involved in a U.S. Justice Department breach in February, according to Motherboard.

For more, read: Everything You Need to Know About the CIA Director Email Hack

The U.K.’s Daily Record first reported on Thursday that the 15-year-old had been arrested. That report cited sources who said that “the boy is believed to have hacked into the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) computer systems.” Those sources also said that the boy was questioned by FBI officials after his arrest earlier this week.

The FBI did not respond to a request for comment on whether it was involved in the arrest.

Law enforcement started to dismantle CWA, which was previously known to comprise teenage members, last week when officials in the U.K. and FBI reportedly arrested a 16-year-old who went by the online name “Cracka.” It’s unknown whether that reported arrest led to “Cubed’s” arrest.

For more on the CIA director’s troubles, watch:

After the first arrest, however, the group told Motherboard it would continue in its activities. It’s unknown how many members CWA has or what it may have planned for the future. Law enforcement agencies have also not said if they’re planning more raids and arrests.

About the Author
By Don Reisinger
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Tech

Apple CEO Tim Cook wearing a white polo shirt and throwing up a peace sign
Big TechApple
Apple won’t be the same in 2026. Meet the company’s next generation of leaders and rising stars after its biggest executive exodus in years
By Dave SmithDecember 8, 2025
11 minutes ago
Successphilanthropy
Craigslist founder signs the Giving Pledge, and his fortune will go to military families, fighting cyberattacks—and a pigeon rescue
By Sydney LakeDecember 8, 2025
1 hour ago
Streaming
Big TechStreaming
Netflix-Warner deal would drive streaming market further down the road of ‘Big 3’ domination
By David R. King and The ConversationDecember 8, 2025
1 hour ago
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang
SuccessCareers
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says people need to find success in traditional factory jobs again: ‘Every successful person doesn’t need to have a PhD’
By Emma BurleighDecember 8, 2025
2 hours ago
Paramount
Big TechM&A
Next shoe in Netflix-WBD saga drops as Paramount launches hostile bid that includes Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner
By Nick LichtenbergDecember 8, 2025
2 hours ago
Google.org
CommentaryTech
Nonprofits are solving 21st century problems—they need 21st century tech
By Maggie Johnson and Shannon FarleyDecember 8, 2025
4 hours ago

Most Popular

placeholder alt text
Real Estate
The 'Great Housing Reset' is coming: Income growth will outpace home-price growth in 2026, Redfin forecasts
By Nino PaoliDecember 6, 2025
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
Politics
Supreme Court to reconsider a 90-year-old unanimous ruling that limits presidential power on removing heads of independent agencies
By Mark Sherman and The Associated PressDecember 7, 2025
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
AI
Nvidia CEO says data centers take about 3 years to construct in the U.S., while in China 'they can build a hospital in a weekend'
By Nino PaoliDecember 6, 2025
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
Economy
The most likely solution to the U.S. debt crisis is severe austerity triggered by a fiscal calamity, former White House economic adviser says
By Jason MaDecember 6, 2025
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
Uncategorized
Transforming customer support through intelligent AI operations
By Lauren ChomiukNovember 26, 2025
12 days ago
placeholder alt text
Economy
JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon says Europe has a 'real problem’
By Katherine Chiglinsky and BloombergDecember 6, 2025
2 days ago
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map

© 2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.