Citing threats from hackers, US won't release security details for federal health care website

The Obama administration has concluded it will not publicly disclose federal records that could shed light on the security of the government's signature health care website because doing so could "potentially" allow hackers to break in. Earlier, the administration had promised not to withhold government information over "speculative" fears.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services denied a request by The Associated Press under the Freedom of Information Act for documents about the kinds of security software and computer systems behind the federally funded health care exchange, called HealthCare.gov.

The AP requested the records late last year amid concerns raised by Republicans about the security of the website, which had technical glitches that prevented millions from signing up for insurance under President Barack Obama's health care law.