GZERO World with Ian Bremmer cover image

GZERO World with Ian Bremmer

Cyber mercenaries and the global surveillance-for-hire market

Oct 31, 2023
The podcast discusses the growing threat of cyber mercenaries and their use of malicious spyware. It explores efforts by governments and private enterprises to combat the cyber mercenary industry. The role of the CyberPeace Institute and civil society organizations in addressing this challenge is also highlighted. The podcast explores various initiatives, litigation, regulation, and principles outlined in the Tech Accord to address the global surveillance-for-hire market. It emphasizes the importance of cooperation, regulation, and investment in academia, civil society, and government to stop cyber mercenaries.
30:24

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Quick takeaways

  • The cyber mercenary market poses a significant threat as a loose network of individuals, finances, and companies involved in the deployment of surveillance capabilities, raising concerns about potential human rights abuses and misuse by governments.
  • Addressing the cyber mercenary market requires a multi-faceted approach that combines government regulations, export control, litigation, public attribution, and fostering partnerships between stakeholders for clearer regulations, enhanced cybersecurity awareness, and stronger security capabilities.

Deep dives

The Threat of Cyber Mercenaries: A Sophisticated and Dangerous Market

The cyber mercenary market poses a multifaceted threat as a loose network of individuals, finances, and companies involved in the deployment of surveillance capabilities. This market, valued at over $12 billion globally, targets people across the internet to collect intelligence and compromise their devices. The use of these technologies has raised concerns, especially due to their potential misuse by governments against journalists, dissidents, and human rights activists. Efforts to combat this market include the Tech Accord's principles to curb its growth, government regulations, litigation, public attribution, and technology companies working together. Society's most important step in stopping cyber mercenaries lies in concerted multi-stakeholder action.

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