Brooklyn, N.Y. – Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke released the following statement on reports of cyberattacks on the popular websites Skype and Snapchat by the Syrian Electronic Army, an organization of hackers who support the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

“Once again we have learned of intentional cyber attacks on the privacy of our personal information, through the breaching of the security of both the Skype and Snapchat websites. In this instance, programs that millions of people around the world have used to share photographs and to complete telephone calls were targeted to obtain user identifying information,” said Congresswoman Clarke, the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity in the House of Representatives.

“To combat this problem which has become more and more prevalent with each day, it is abundantly clear that we must implement systems protocols that protect Internet users from the threat of identity fraud and the unauthorized disclosure of their personal information. We must engage the private sector in a partnership with government to protect the American people from on-line abuse.”

With several colleagues on the Homeland Security Committee – both Democrats and Republicans – Congresswoman Clarke has introduced “National Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure Protection Act of 2013.” The bill would support collaboration between federal agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security and with private companies to develop and implement the best practices required to protect the data, information and intellectual properties of all Americans that should and must remain private and to preserve and protect the integrity of our web-based platforms that keep our nation, its people, and economy safe.