The Citizen Lab

@citizenlab · on X ↗
1,764 posts archived · 0 deleted · tracked since Oct 22, 2026 · checked 51m ago · Download · RSS
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Academic research unit at @UofT investigating novel threats to democracy, human rights, and global security in the digital ecosystem.

📍 Toronto, Canada

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Why it's watchedhuman rights online activists

The Citizen Lab @citizenlab · ↗ 🔏
One year ago, Citizen Lab showed that spyware technology was being used to target journalists & human rights defenders in Mexico. Here @tumbolian explains how tools meant to track criminals turned into the biggest surveillance scandal in Mexican history t.co/LqjRGsQwZs
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The Citizen Lab @citizenlab · ↗ 🔏
“Many automated OSINT tools are as much snake oil as they are useful"- @caparsons t.co/OItQNx9VXH
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The Citizen Lab @citizenlab · ↗ 🔏
Listen to @lex_is on the latest episode of the @IRPP podcast, discussing the nuances of encryption technology, human rights and security t.co/EYlVRGWT4T
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The Citizen Lab @citizenlab · ↗ 🔏
ICYMI: "This was a ‘Big Data’ surveillance effort that was operated in contravention of the authorizing law of CSIS, an incredibly secretive organization"- @caparsons t.co/Pbzdb4syje
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The Citizen Lab @citizenlab · ↗ 🔏
""Civil society is increasingly the victim of cyber capabilities that were once seen as tools of popular liberation and that are now more often instruments of repression." Why Canada needs a cyber security foreign policy t.co/BonaTfFlUS via @thehilltimes
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The Citizen Lab @citizenlab · ↗ 🔏
If you're in Toronto tomorrow, make sure to catch @RonDeibert deliver a keynote address on surveillance and big data at the LSA 2018 Annual Meeting t.co/MJ5DAnREvw
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The Citizen Lab @citizenlab · ↗ 🔏
ICYMI: "There is the risk that instead of improving the situation, these technologies may just entrench or encourage unfair or discriminatory practices"- @lex_is t.co/huAJwlXBFW
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The Citizen Lab @citizenlab · ↗ 🔏
Today, Citizen Lab sent an open letter to Francisco Partners requesting an update on our March report concerning Sandvine, as well as the reported interest in a sale of NSO Group to Verint Systems & Francisco Partners’ investment practices more generally t.co/1LxjFbpweP
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The Citizen Lab @citizenlab · ↗ 🔏
#TBT to 2010, when Citizen Lab Director @RonDeibert took on Blackberry's lack of transparency around collusion with governments on surveillance, in @globeandmail t.co/9YBN5LYxgU
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The Citizen Lab @citizenlab · ↗ 🔏
"Criminals and law-abiding citizens alike use the same communication systems: weaken them for one and you weaken them for all."- @RonDeibert on ongoing encryption debates and the latest report by @citizenlab and @cippic t.co/o7sZambHsI
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The Citizen Lab @citizenlab · ↗ 🔏
Wondering how encrypted email actually works? @citizenlab and @cippic researchers discuss the technical, legal, and historical issues of encryption in their newly released field guide t.co/lYehP2ivHx
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The Citizen Lab @citizenlab · ↗ 🔏
NEW REPORT: Shining a Light on the Encryption Debate: A Canadian Field Guide t.co/lYehP2A6z5
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The Citizen Lab @citizenlab · ↗ 🔏
If you're going to be at @rightscon next week, check out some of the amazing sessions that the Citizen Lab will be participating in! t.co/SyrcnWg1wA
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The Citizen Lab @citizenlab · ↗ 🔏
Applications are now open for the First Workshop on NLP for Internet Freedom. Learn more: t.co/wcOAvMn2fy #NLP4IF
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The Citizen Lab @citizenlab · ↗ 🔏
▪️What: Google Policy Fellowship ▪️Why: Because you're passionate about technology and Internet policy ▪️Where: Toronto (@citizenlab) or Ottawa (@cippic) ▪️When: Applications due this Friday, May 11 t.co/q3Z3LX6PRO
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The Citizen Lab @citizenlab · ↗ 🔏
ICYMI: @RonDeibert sent a letter to @R_Boissonnault about the use of Netsweeper technology to censor LGBTQ2 content around the world and the government's financial support of the company t.co/kSO9bOioDK
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The Citizen Lab @citizenlab · ↗ 🔏
For just over $1,000 USD, operators conducted an extensive phishing enterprise with targets in the Tibetan community, showing how simple and inexpensive tactics can have significant impact. Read more: t.co/VqyhGQX36T t.co/lydf9o8sAo
Image in @citizenlab's post: For just over $1,000 USD, operators conducted an extensive phishing enterprise with targets in the …
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The Citizen Lab @citizenlab · ↗ 🔏
👋🏾Come work with us! Apply for the Google Policy Fellowship and tackle pressing issues related to data access rights, corporate transparency, and national security policy. Application deadline: Friday, May 11 t.co/q3Z3LX6PRO
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The Citizen Lab @citizenlab · ↗ 🔏
"We believe the Canadian government could help — and indeed is obligated to help — prevent the abuse of Canadian-made censorship and surveillance technology through export controls and other regulations." - @RonDeibert t.co/fpIxzoHcNU
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The Citizen Lab @citizenlab · ↗ 🔏
Citizen Lab director @RonDeibert has penned a letter to @R_Boissonnault to address the issues of Canadian technology being used to infringe on the rights of LGBTQ2 persons around the world. Read the full submission: t.co/kSO9bOioDK
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The Citizen Lab @citizenlab · ↗ 🔏
Planning your @rightscon schedule? Mark your calendars for 'Ethical Duties in the Digital Age: Encryption Done Dirt Cheap' featuring the Citizen Lab's Sarah McKune t.co/Av54sumfZo
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The Citizen Lab @citizenlab · ↗ 🔏
"Access to information is a human right recognized under international law — yet one that many governments defy in practice through extensive Internet censorship." - @RonDeibert t.co/fyw4FbRd6f
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The Citizen Lab @citizenlab · ↗ 🔏
"The Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto has found barriers to the process including data usability, identity verification, transmission security, and cost − in one instance, they found a company charged a consumer $200 plus tax." t.co/w8luLGPpbv
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