Cyber-security experts told the Associated Press that US intelligence agencies routinely spy on other countries, but do not conduct similar attacks or steal data from Chinese companies.

BBC: White House vows to fight trade-secrets theft

Private intelligence companies have been in the spotlight in recent months after hackers stole thousands of emails from the digital intelligence contractor HBGary Federal in February, revealing that the company had been working on proposals to spy on and discredit supporters of WikiLeaks using tactics associated with cyber warfare.

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But if we ever wanted to consider treaties on cyber disarmament, or regulations on the use of hacking tools by those wishing to do more than simply spy or steal, we would become immediately stymied by how to enforce the rules.

CNN: Cyber arms control? Forget about it