The Citizen Lab

Technologies of #AI 🤖🧠 are rapidly advancing. Human survival may depend on design & implementation of restraints on AI, but is it achievable? If in #Toronto, great talk today @munkschool 1PM- 3PM EST. Details👉🏼 t.co/WZQSdq1OEC

🚨NEW REPORT: NSO Group’s #Pegasus #Spyware returns in 2022 with a trio of iOS 15 and iOS 16 zero-click exploit chains. The report finds NSO group clients deployed exploits against civil society members including two human right defenders in #Mexico t.co/kIoWsn0AW0

NEW REPORT: SWEET QUADREAMS: A first look at #spyware vendor QuaDream’s spy tools, victims and customers. We identified traces of suspected exploit deployed against iOS versions 14.4 and 14.4.2 and possibly other versions as zero-day vulnerability. t.co/u7jcxJpu9H

We @citizenlab are thrilled to announce Mohamed Ahmed as the recipient of the Reset Scholarship award. @RonDeibert established the Reset Scholarship by donating his Donner prize for his book #RESET to support a @UofT @munkschool political science student. t.co/rLaKCT5R98

NEW JOB OPPORTUNITY: Want to work with a dynamic and inclusive team @citizenlab? We are looking for Manager, Information System Security. Share in your circles. For details ➡️ t.co/z6ueb5azDg

Happening now: Advancing Technology for Democracy at #SummitForDemocracy2023. Much works needs to be done to confront the digital threats that we face and @jsrailton @citizenlab speaks on misuse of tech to spread authoritarianism. Watch live 👇🏽 t.co/lVpj9tVvt6

Canada to support Biden administration’s push aimed at countering “proliferation and misuse of commercial #spyware.” @RonDeibert calls it a strong signal to vendors and investors, making business harder. t.co/M6C5XbDPxA

The Biden administration opens the two-day #SummitForDemocracy to zero in on making technology work for to strengthen democratic practices. Link 👇🏽for live updates from Plenary day and @RonDeibert on countering misuse of tech and digital authoritarianism t.co/fcIlUdOR1Y

Senior Researcher @jsrailton emphasizes the need for international guardrails, adding that #executiveorder will stop the spread of #spyware by warning businesses that time is running out for malpractices. t.co/MjzxPWAg5V

@RonDeibert @citizenlab on #Spyware #executiveorder says, "the order will make the lucrative US federal govt market inaccessible to firms that present a national security risk and facilitate transnational repression and human rights violations." t.co/kZKMHVZYCy

First known case of an American national being targeted with a #cyberespionage #predator tool in the EU. We @citizenlab discovered the infection👇🏽. t.co/Z5UrTMzmnC

UPCOMING PANEL: A discussion on Women Human Rights Defenders as game changers by overcoming challenges and using pioneering tools. @nouraaljizawi is one of the speakers who will discuss the risks, realities and opportunities posed by tech innovation. t.co/ggJyu3XwiZ

@gabriellelim was invited to speak at the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics on foreign interference and challenges to the credibility of democratic institutions. t.co/LfjPwYgYMJ

OPEN CALL LAUNCHES for The Spyware Accountability Initiative that will support civil society org. to expose and prevent spyware and help bring accountability to global trade in surveillance technologies 👇🏽

NEW JOB POSTING: Manager, Information System Security. Join the team @citizenlab where we do research, and engage in high-level legal and policy engagement at the nexus of information and communication technology, human rights, and international security. t.co/ggvkoYxLQ7

This episode explores the evidence that the #Mexican army acquired #Pegasus spyware and routinely used it against Mexican journalists and activists. Featuring Luis Fernando of @R3Dmx and @jsrailton @citizenlab t.co/HSkssUialI

In this episode, @citizenlab’s Senior Research Associate Jeffrey Knockel explains how automated censorship occurs on Chinese apps, and @RonDeibert discusses the socio-political implications. Watch Influencers t.co/OabQtnlA87

Join in for a discussion on Digital Policy Rounds: Technology-facilitated Gender-based violence on Thu, Feb 16, 12pm to 1pm EST. Among the speakers @nouraaljizawi senior researcher @citizenlab and @Cyn_K senior associate @GeorgetownCPT 👇🏽 t.co/xRnPX55dNC

Dissidents in #Russia have discovered their #Telegram accounts may have been compromised. @edok_lotosov and @elies describe the digital migration. t.co/bg1pS40TJI

Interested in learning more about mercenary spyware? Read "The Autocrat in Your iPhone," by Director @RonDeibert: t.co/qOlVLkeoWb via @ForeignAffairs

Important research by @edok_lotosov that explores how information control affects journalistic work in Russia occupied #Ukrainian territories, and how #journalist’s individual digital security practices are affected. t.co/cW5lSlsezI

NEW REPORT: You Move, They Follow Uncovering Iran’s Mobile Legal Intercept System t.co/5LWuLztj7T

In this video, @RonDeibert Director @citizenlab, @munkschool discusses his appointment to the Order of Canada 🇨🇦. He also talks about some of the important work that his team will be doing. Watch full video here👇🏽t.co/daIgFxE9vr

Ending the year with amazing news. Our Director @RonDeibert has been appointed to this year’s Order of Canada🇨🇦. He says, “it’s no secret that I’ve been critical of our lack of accountability around law enforcement but that doesn’t mean I’m not patriotic”. t.co/4Rzxdy4VYu

NPR's @NPRMichel speaks with @citizenlab Director @RonDeibert about increased use of #spyware among autocratic and democratic governments to track and thwart dissent. Listen to the full conversation👇🏽 t.co/K2Tpa8hPMi

NEW REPORT: “Mass Iris Scan Collection in Qinghai: 2019–2022” by @emiledirks. This report on mass iris scan collection focuses on further evidence of police-led mass iris scan collection in a region with 49% non-Han population. Read full report here:  t.co/XHByJB2rnI

As #internet #censorship methods evolve, longstanding gaps remain in how to track and measure the technology. Research by @citizenlab’s @ramakrishnan13s and Jakub Dalek address this knowledge gap t.co/kH1qykrGz8

Introduction of advanced spyware has transformed the world of espionage and surveillance, uniting the industry and attracting diplomatic clout in a variety of countries, writes @citizenlab Director @ronDeibert in @ForeignAffairs. Spyware companies have few legal obligations.

Is there hope for democracy when geopolitical instability is mounting, and public discourse is drowning in misinformation? There is hope — according to CBC Massey Lecturer @citizenlab Director @RonDeibert who spoke with @NahlahAyed on @cbcideas t.co/9hcVtYLqk4

@citizenlab Director @RonDeibert on the misuse of spyware: the problem is huge with many vendors. It is a lucrative industry that breeds corruption, making it difficult to pierce through the veils of secrecy.