SpyTalk

A “Bonanza" of Spyware Abuses

14 snips
Jan 31, 2025
Ron Deibert, Director of Citizen Lab and author of "Chasing Shadows," dives into the disturbing world of spyware abuse by governments and spy agencies. He highlights the alarming rise in unregulated surveillance practices, particularly against journalists and dissidents. Deibert reveals how technologies, originally developed through military expertise, have become commercialized tools for oppression. He discusses the chilling implications of spyware in crises like the Khashoggi case and ongoing scandals in Europe, emphasizing the urgent need for regulatory protections.
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ANECDOTE

Khashoggi and Spyware

  • Michael Isikoff recalls a prior interview with Ron Deibert about Israeli spyware.
  • This spyware, sold to Saudi Arabia, played a role in Jamal Khashoggi's assassination.
INSIGHT

Citizen Lab's Mission

  • Citizen Lab is a research group at the University of Toronto that acts as a counterintelligence unit for civil society.
  • They investigate government espionage and corporate malfeasance, using technical methods to uncover hidden activities.
ANECDOTE

Beyond Snowden

  • Edward Snowden's revelations sparked debate about privacy, but didn't fully expose the extent of commercial spyware abuse.
  • Deibert's work reveals a global market providing sophisticated surveillance tools to governments lacking in-house capabilities.
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