John Scott-Railton

Crofton Black, an investigative journalist at Lighthouse Reports, discusses the extensive spyware investigation focusing on the new mercenary tool, Predator. Joined by Bill Marczak and John Scott-Railton from Citizen Lab, they delve into how Predator infects mobile phones to collect sensitive data and its alarming sale to global intelligence agencies. The conversation highlights ethical implications, the urgent need for regulatory oversight, and the chilling reality of technology being weaponized against civil liberties.

Igor, a private investigator from NYC, and John Scott Railton, a researcher at Citizen Lab, delve into the shadowy world of espionage. Igor shares his experiences of tailing targets and sensing deception during complex operations involving Black Cube. John reveals how he was targeted to undermine his research, exposing the ethical dilemmas of spying and its impact on journalism. The duo navigates the tension of covert meetings and the lengths powerful entities will go to maintain control, shedding light on the dark side of surveillance.

In this discussion, John Scott-Railton, a senior researcher at Citizen Lab, unpacks the alarming implications of the NSO Group's spyware, Pegasus. He shares insights on how this invasive software is wielded by governments against journalists and activists, stirring ethical concerns about surveillance. The podcast reveals chilling cases, including the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, showcasing the urgent need for accountability in tech. Scott-Railton emphasizes vulnerabilities in mobile security and the challenges facing civil liberties in a digitally hostile world.