The Citizen Lab

@citizenlab · on X ↗
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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 · ↗ 🔏
When it comes to the consequences of AI disinformation, “the risk cuts both ways,” senior researcher Alberto Fittarelli told the @nytimes. t.co/9kFPI8msfv
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The Citizen Lab @citizenlab · ↗ 🔏
Today at 3:30 pm @RonDeibert will appear before the 🇨🇦@HoCCommittees Subcommittee on International Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (SDIR) to testify on transnational repression. t.co/ffjUCeI6BI
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The Citizen Lab @citizenlab · ↗ 🔏
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. 🧵
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The Citizen Lab @citizenlab · ↗ 🔏
New submission from the Citizen Lab to @UNHumanRights on protecting human rights defenders from digital transnational repression: t.co/uGyLMEScRx
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The Citizen Lab @citizenlab · ↗ 🔏
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
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The Citizen Lab @citizenlab · ↗ 🔏
“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
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The Citizen Lab @citizenlab · ↗ 🔏
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
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The Citizen Lab @citizenlab · ↗ 🔏
"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
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The Citizen Lab @citizenlab · ↗ 🔏
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
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The Citizen Lab @citizenlab · ↗ 🔏
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
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The Citizen Lab @citizenlab · ↗ 🔏
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
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The Citizen Lab @citizenlab · ↗ 🔏
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
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The Citizen Lab @citizenlab · ↗ 🔏
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
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The Citizen Lab @citizenlab · ↗ 🔏
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
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The Citizen Lab @citizenlab · ↗ 🔏
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
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The Citizen Lab @citizenlab · quote ↗ 🔏
Hear from the Citizen Lab's Marcus Michaelsen at @transrepproject's webinar this Thurs, Feb 5 👇
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The Citizen Lab @citizenlab · ↗ 🔏
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
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The Citizen Lab @citizenlab · ↗ 🔏
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
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The Citizen Lab @citizenlab · ↗ 🔏
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
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The Citizen Lab @citizenlab · ↗ 🔏
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
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The Citizen Lab @citizenlab · ↗ 🔏
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
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The Citizen Lab @citizenlab · ↗ 🔏
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
Image in @citizenlab's post: AI is already reshaping how we live, work, and communicate. But how will it change democracy?

Join…
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The Citizen Lab @citizenlab · ↗ 🔏
🔔 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
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The Citizen Lab @citizenlab · ↗ 🔏
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
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The Citizen Lab @citizenlab · ↗ 🔏
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
Image in @citizenlab's post: WEBINAR: Join us for a timely conversation on how digital repression and surveillance are reshaping…
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