back to article MGM says FTC can't possibly probe its ransomware downfall – watchdog chief Lina Khan was a guest at the time

MGM Resorts wants the FTC to halt a probe into last year's ransomware infection at the mega casino chain – because the watchdog's boss Lina Khan was a guest at one of its hotels during the cyberattack. The biz on Monday sued [PDF] the US regulator and its chair, noting the computer network intrusion in September 2023 "cost MGM …

  1. elDog

    Oh, wow. If the head of the EPA bought bottled water from Nestle

    then the EPA could never take action against that company?

    If the head of the FBI once flew on an airline owned by United and manufactured by Boeing, then the FBI could never investigate those two companies?

    Lewis Carrol - more material for you!

    1. Phones Sheridan

      Re: Oh, wow. If the head of the EPA bought bottled water from Nestle

      I wonder if in the US the regulators can increase the fine substantially because of corporate resistance like they can in the EU.

      1. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        Re: Oh, wow. If the head of the EPA bought bottled water from Nestle

        We are way past time for insulting intelligence to be a multiplier on fines

  2. katrinab Silver badge
    WTF?

    It is perfectly normal for law enforcement officers to investigate when they witness a criminal offence taking place, and to use what they witnessed to inform their investigation.

    The fact that it was the most senior officer in the agency rather than regular beat cop doesn’t really make any difference.

  3. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Methinks the lady doth protest too much, methinks....

    What are MGM trying to hide? Is there something that the investigation may dig up. Vegas and Buried bodies is nothing new...

    1. aerogems
      Holmes

      Re: Methinks the lady doth protest too much, methinks....

      Was coming here to say something similar. MGM seems like they're trying awfully hard to keep the FTC from finding something.

      1. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        Re: Methinks the lady doth protest too much, methinks....

        Woah there, aren't MGM Microsoft customers? Don't let your boss catch you dissing meal tickets.

    2. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: Methinks the lady doth protest too much, methinks....

      Definitely buried bodies…. the official line is questionable and more likely attributed to the third party offshore company they use for customer service and IT services.

      1. GuldenNL

        Re: Methinks the lady doth protest too much, methinks....

        No offshore for customer service at MGM. Very strong union presence.

        I would LOVE to provide color, this one would make for a Gary Larson Far Side strip.

        Ahem...someone was pitching them to implement voice bio authentication, and suggested the helpdesk would be a perfect place to start since it would only affect internal customers and would be a relatively small and quick deployment.

        Several months later... Help Desk social engineering from a "Sr Mgr."

    3. Michael Wojcik Silver badge

      Re: Methinks the lady doth protest too much, methinks....

      Eh, I suspect this is just some junior partner in a law firm representing MGM that dreamed up this wheeze and thought it was worth a try. While it's a moderately amusing story, really what often happens in this sort of case is that a lot of motions to dismiss are filed, and most of them are rubbish, and everyone involved knows it.

  4. abend0c4 Silver badge

    The watchdog acted unconstitutionally

    This does seem to be the next battleground of the American mega-rightch: that any regulation of commerce is somehow intolerable. I doubt the creators of the constitution intended that it should be used to give rights to "we, the princes (Inc.)" and deny rights to "you, the paupers", but it does seem that the "constitutional originalists" are eager to interpret it that way.

    1. Cliffwilliams44 Silver badge

      Re: The watchdog acted unconstitutionally

      No, the writers of the constitution wanted to protect the nation (i.e. the people) from the actions of a tyrannical government. Something they personally had lived under. One way a tyrannical government operates is the oppressive enforcement of over-reaching regulations. This is something we have seen increasing more and more here in the US. Using regulation to attempt to modify the behavior of the masses, regulatory enforcement to target political undesirables, regulatory excess to further the religious dogma of the Church of Climatology!

    2. Cliffwilliams44 Silver badge

      Re: The watchdog acted unconstitutionally

      And I have to ask, do they not teach anything in regard to the US constitution in Europe? I know we are failing in that regard here as well.

      Unlike in many places in Europe where the people are subjects of the state(crown), in the US we are not!

      Our constitution does not "give" rights. That is the fundamental misunderstanding, it protects the rights we already have, the rights we already have because are human beings. Our constitution restricts the power of government.

      And please, the "rich" in this country are predominantly the supporters of the Democrat party! You know, the party of the Rockefellers, the Roosevelts, the Kennedys, the Gates, the Bezos', the Ellisons, the wall street fat cats, etc. The Democrat party has always been the party of the Landed Gentry, the party founded to protect the interests of Southern landowners newly made rich by Andrew Jackson, you know the man who single handedly expanded the slave system in the US.

      There has only been a party of the "Right" in America since the latter half of the 20th century. The Republicans of the 18th century were radicals who would and did trample the Constitution of it served their purpose. Then they became the party of business, only concerned with keeping their business interests afloat and profitable, all the while ignoring the Marxist rot that was corrupting this nation.

  5. Anonymous Coward
    Boffin

    Unraveling the MGM Resorts Cyberattack - A Comprehensive Analysis

    A Comprehensive Analysis

    The digital landscape has recently witnessed a surge in cyberattacks targeting high-profile entities. One such incident that sent shockwaves through the cybersecurity community was the breach at MGM Resorts.

    1. Introduction

    The MGM Resorts cyberattack serves as a sobering testament to the challenges that even the most technologically advanced entities face. This wasn't merely a breach; it was a calculated, sophisticated assault that exploited not just technological gaps, but human vulnerabilities, leaving an indelible mark on MGM's operations and reputation.

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: Unraveling the MGM Resorts Cyberattack - A Comprehensive Analysis

      A "calculated, sophisticated assault" that, per the article, consisted of a quick call to MGM's tech support? Definitely leaving a mark on their reputation.

  6. Tubz Silver badge

    MGM does seem to have something to hide, maybe some dodgy payments to investors with Italian sounding surnames.?

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      or even someone whose name is related to card games?

      1. The Bobster

        Dave Snap?

      2. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        "Give Me The Brain" - funny sounding name, but an enjoyable card game....

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