The Citizen Lab

Italian prosecutors have confirmed the hacking of journalist Francesco Cancellato by Paragon spyware. Senior researcher @jsrailton spoke with The Guardian and @TechCrunch about the case. 🧵

New submission from the Citizen Lab to @UNHumanRights on protecting human rights defenders from digital transnational repression: t.co/uGyLMEScRx

Senior researcher @irenepoet writes for @CarnegieEndow about the Myanmar military junta’s use of internet service provider (ISP) infrastructure to surveil and censor users. Read the article: t.co/RkAJtB5tq7

“Given China’s extensive cyber espionage capabilities, there’s a much more likely way for the CCP to get access to his cellphone than filing an access to information request. And it would be far speedier too!” @RonDeibert in @TorontoStar discussing Premier Doug Ford's claims that he’s tightening #Ontario's access to information laws to “protect” himself and his cabinet ministers from “communist China” and other hostile powers. Read it here: t.co/KIGEq0SC9R

Authoritarian states use gender-based digital transnational repression to silence outspoken women in diaspora communities. Senior researcher Noura Aljizawi spoke with @FullerProject about how it affects victims. Read the article t.co/WAdx9vOK70

"Transnational Repression in an Age of Upheaval: Global Policy Challenges for Canada" In a policy brief for @CIGIonline, researchers argue that the Canadian government must do more to protect diaspora members from #transnationalrepression. Read it here: t.co/B9UzcRsOuy

BOOK LAUNCH: Join the Citizen Lab’s @jon_penney, @rondeibert, and @katerobertson_ as they discuss Penney’s new book, "Chilling Effects: Repression, Conformity, and Power in the Digital Age." March 12 at 5:30 pm RSVP: t.co/3t4sdcqFeK t.co/MZ5UDTo1bD

Join senior researcher @irenepoet on March 13 for “Moving Beyond the Given: The Politics of Categories and Subjectivity in Indonesia” at @AASAsianStudies annual conference in Vancouver. #AAS2026 Get details: t.co/4DdKOh8q2M

MARCH 10: Get practical tips from the Citizen Lab's Rebekah Brown at @accessnow's Digital Security Helpline webinar on preventing spear-phishing attacks against civil society. Register: t.co/vhK3ZnIEXP

On March 10 Citizen Lab senior research associate @KateRobertson_ will share her expertise and insights at @OsgoodeNews’ course on AI and criminal justice in Canada. Register: t.co/KYn1ZvrHiN

NEW REPORT – “Not Safe for Politics: Cellebrite Used on Kenyan Activist and Politician Boniface Mwangi” New research shows that Kenyan authorities used Cellebrite’s forensic extraction tools to access activist Boniface Mwangi’s phone. Read it here t.co/B8onzaee5C

On Feb 19 join @KateRobertson_ to discuss the role of technology and the current state of play in border externalization. Register here: t.co/U583n8lRmT t.co/PyqXVenhcD

Senior research associate Emile Dirks spoke with @ICIJorg about a new report he co-authored on #transnationalrepression in the EU. Read it here: t.co/YwjmcDdtIv

Citizen Lab senior fellow Cynthia Khoo spoke with @CBCNews about the People’s Consultation on AI, launched by a civil society working group in response to the federal government’s “national sprint” on AI. 🇨🇦#cdnpoli Read here: t.co/WCcRlZobC4

Citizen Lab's senior researcher Bill Marczak served as a key witness in a UK ruling that ordered Saudi Arabia to pay £3M to a London-based dissident who was targeted with #Pegasus spyware. Read the ruling: t.co/5S4VvZK8HL

Hear from the Citizen Lab's Marcus Michaelsen at @transrepproject's webinar this Thurs, Feb 5 👇

NEW REPORT – “From Protest to Peril: Cellebrite Used Against Jordanian Civil Society” Our investigation reveals that, since 2020, Jordanian authorities have deployed Cellebrite’s forensic extraction products against civil society targets in Jordan. Full report here: t.co/3lyQ82680Y

NEW Citizen Lab website just launched! See what's new at t.co/9z7gcZXwjz t.co/BCnvBtmvil

New article by Citizen Lab senior legal advisor Siena Anstis examines the challenges that members of civil society targeted by spyware face in attempting to seek remedy. Read it in @InRights: t.co/dShTUPKcrj

Citizen Lab director @profdeibert speaks with @techreview about the Lab’s work, noting that “the type of research that we pioneered is under threat like never before.” t.co/5auvCOtajX

Today at 11 am ET: Senior research associate @KateRobertson_ will be testifying on Bill C-8 in the 🇨🇦@HoCChamber SECU Committee Meeting. Watch live: t.co/IvOxME1XNP #cdnpoli

PODCAST: Senior fellow Cynthia Khoo discusses the issues with Canada’s ‘national sprint’ on AI, calling it “a slap in the face to anyone who’s been harmed by these kinds of reckless approaches to technology.” Listen to the episode here: t.co/PolR4D7cLn #cdnpoli

AI is already reshaping how we live, work, and communicate. But how will it change democracy? Join @munkschool's Bruce Schneier, Beth Coleman & @RonDeibert for "Rewiring Democracy: How AI Will Transform Our Politics, Government, and Citizenship" on Dec 2. Register to attend online or in person: t.co/3GzxV7GPQz

🔔 Upcoming webinar! Join us for a timely conversation on how #digitalrepression and #surveillance are reshaping women’s participation in peacebuilding and the Women, Peace and Security agenda. Nov 26 @ 9:30 am ET More info: t.co/laF3nFI772

Nov 26: Join us for an online discussion examining women and peacemaking in the digital age. Hear from Citizen Lab researchers as well as Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) experts from @DigiDefenders @4freerussia_org @AmnestyNow & @sheAssociates. Meet the speakers: t.co/VJRpKHGfIx

On Dec 11, tune in for @RonDeibert's conversation w/ @signalapp president @mer__edith about the critical lessons learned from the Signalgate scandal at #FTGlobalBoardroom @FTLive. Learn more: t.co/oj5kstsCqy

On Nov 18, Citizen Lab senior fellow Cynthia Khoo will deliver a talk titled “Civil Rights and Modeling the AI Legislation We Need” at the Canadian Conference on AI Governance. Learn more: t.co/AF1hYzkZav

WEBINAR: Join us for a timely conversation on how digital repression and surveillance are reshaping women’s participation in peacebuilding and the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda. When: Nov 26 at 9:30 am ET / 3:30 pm CET Where: Online Register: t.co/gilALt4vgd

How do authoritarian surveillance mechanisms affect those targeted, and how should societies respond? On Nov 12, Citizen Lab senior researcher @jsrailton will be at #BerlinFreedomWeek to share his expertise in the panel discussion titled “From Stasi to Spyware: Old Tactics, New Technology.” Learn more: t.co/tdXmFjot7a

Researchers at the Citizen Lab and director @RonDeibert sign open letter to the Canadian Minister of AI and Minister of Industry rejecting the “National Sprint” on AI strategy. Read it here: t.co/JMzECul9Vn