Fact check: Colonial Pipeline gas shortage was result of cyberattack by hackers

Devon Link, USA TODAY
·3 min read

The claim: Colonial Pipeline gas shortage was intentional

In response to the Colonial Pipeline hack, many Americans along the East Coast flocked to gas stations to panic buy fuel. On social media, some users promoted baseless claims that the gas shortage was intentional.

“I'm not buying this ‘cyber attack’. Right before vacation season? Ya no this is a ploy,” read a May 10 post.

“There ARE no coincidences! This intentional ‘Gas shortage’ is by design. Next thing will be FOOD if we don’t do something FAST!” claimed a May 11 Facebook post.

“Let me get this straight. Suddenly, going into summer vacation season, there’s an unheard of cyber attack that totally shuts down ⅓ of the countries gas supply (almost all red states with no COVID restrictions) - and the Biden regime is blaming Russia?” said another May 11 post.

Fact check: Viral image of plastic bags filled with gas is from 2019

The pipeline's closure was the result of a cyberattack on the company that operates it. There is no evidence to suggest it is part of a larger plan.

USA TODAY reached out to several of the posters for comment. None responded.

Hackers target Colonial Pipeline Co.

On May 8, Colonial Pipeline Co. announced it had been the victim of a ransomware attack that affected its information technology systems.

Ransomware attacks are cybercrimes in which hackers encrypt an organization's data and demand ransom payments for returned control. These cyberattacks typically target corporations, however, several hospitals, local governments and states have been victims of ransomware attacks over the past year.

Fuel tanks are seen at Colonial Pipeline Baltimore Delivery in Baltimore, Md. on May 10, 2021.
Fuel tanks are seen at Colonial Pipeline Baltimore Delivery in Baltimore, Md. on May 10, 2021.

“In response to the cybersecurity attack on our system, we proactively took certain systems offline to contain the threat, which temporarily halted all pipeline operations, and affected some of our IT systems,” Colonial Pipeline said in a May 10 statement. "To restore service, we must work to ensure that each of these systems can be brought back online safely.”

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The offline pipeline caused gas shortages in many communities along the East Coast. In a May 13 statement, Colonial Pipeline announced it has made “substantial progress” in its efforts to restart its system.

Energy industry experts told USA TODAY the gas supply issues should stabilize soon.

Colonial Pipeline declined USA TODAY's request for comment.

The FBI said ransomware created by cybercrime group DarkSide had been responsible for the Colonial Pipeline attack. CNBC reported that DarkSide develops and sells ransomware software to other criminals that then carry out attacks.

Fact check: Yes, viral photo shows gas hoarding in Alabama after Colonial Pipeline hack

Our rating: False

We rate the claim that the Colonial Pipeline gas shortage was intentional FALSE because it is not supported by our research. An FBI investigation found the gas shortage was the result of a ransomware attack by cybercrime organization DarkSide against Colonial Pipeline.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fact check: False claim Colonial Pipeline gas shortage was intentional