FBI Raids 2 Data Centers in Texas, Confiscate Loads of Equipment

DALLAS — The FBI this week raided two data centers in Texas, confiscating equipment and interrupting service to hundreds of businesses.

Tech giants AT&T and Verizon sparked the raids, complaining that some of their customers were delinquent on bills. Tech companies Crydon Technology and Core IP Networks got hit.

The FBI’s action has sparked outrage from the companies raided and the customers who lost service because of it. The accusations levied at the FBI range from simple overkill — the agency tried to solve a problem that could have been resolved in a civil court — to the more serious charge that they collected equipment from many other businesses not involved in the complaint. The FBI has disputed all charges.

Adult online guru Brandon "Fight The Patent" told XBIZ that he saw one of his clients get all of his computers taken away by the Federal Trade Commission.

"The real issue here is all the innocent businesses who lost their servers due to the FBI not understanding about hosting and collocation,” he said. “The question is whether or not those companies would be able to sue the FBI for loss of business."

Should adult be worried? Possibly. Brandon speculated that if the federal government should decide to raid a server farm that hosts an offending tube site, a lot of other harmless adult sites might get swept up in a similar way.

Crydon Technology Owner Mike Faulkner said that the FBI seized about 220 servers, along with routers and other equipment, and on top of that, he said the FBI also raided his home, where they took eight iPods (some of which belonged to his children), a PS3, five Xbox systems and a Wii console.

The other company, Core IP Networks, reported that about 50 of its customers lost access to emails and VOIP phone service, meaning that they couldn't have called 911 if they needed to.

"If you run a data center, please be aware that in our great country, the FBI can come into your place of business at any time and take whatever they want, with no reason," CEO Mike Simpson said.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

XBIZ Miami's Host Hotel Sold Out, General Registration Now Open

Guest rooms at XBIZ Miami’s exclusive conference venue, Nautilus Sonesta Miami Beach hotel in South Beach, are now completely sold out.

Adult Industry Educational, Networking Platform 'Imperfectly You' Launches

Imperfectly You, an educational and networking platform for adult industry workers, has officially launched.

Segpay to Launch News Network for High-Risk Merchants

Segpay has announced that it will launch the Segpay News Network (SNN) on April 15.

Age Verification Watch: Patching the Holes

This roundup provides an update on the latest news and developments on the age verification front as it impacts the adult industry.

Pineapple Support to Host Autism Spectrum Support Group

Pineapple Support is hosting a free online support group for performers and creators who are, or suspect they may be, on the autism spectrum.

ImLive Launches Revamped Member Loyalty Program

Cam platform ImLive has revamped its member loyalty program.

GoFundMe Set Up for Danny Ferretti's Medical Expenses

A GoFundMe campaign has been set up for Fangear founder Danny Ferretti, who requires extensive lung surgery.

Byborg Acquires Cuties AI

Byborg Enterprises has acquired adult artificial intelligence startup Cuties AI.

Irish Government Releases Report on Sex Work Decriminalization Legislation

The Irish government has released a report reviewing a 2017 law that decriminalized sex work across the country.

Texas Bill Would Require Age Verification for Online Sex Toy Sales

A new bill in the Texas state legislature would require online retailers to implement age verification of purchasers before selling “obscene devices” to anyone in that state.

Show More