The Citizen Lab

Other products developed by Cobwebs are also concerning, as are its ties to spyware vendor Quadream via Omri Timianker, who founded Cobwebs Technologies and now oversees Penlink’s international operations. t.co/r6WjaI7BPM

Webloc provides access to data on hundreds of millions of people across the globe, which is constantly harvested from the apps installed on their mobile devices. Customers can use it to monitor the movements and personal characteristics of entire populations, including their past locations.

Location data collected from apps and digital advertising can reveal habits, interests and almost any other aspect of someone's life. The misuse of consumer data raises concerns, especially when used to target vulnerable groups such as immigrants or protesters. t.co/8ROctGnefJ

Based on the responses to 96 freedom of information requests, we conclude that governments in Europe and the UK are highly nontransparent about their potential use of ad-based surveillance. t.co/vsSCwghf0j

Webloc customers also include the national police in El Salvador and US law enforcement agencies at the federal, state, and local levels, including ICE, US military, Texas Dept. of Public Safety, and Dept of Homeland Security West Virginia. t.co/pesCXCudO9

In collaboration with @VSquare_Project, we reveal that Hungarian domestic intelligence has been using Webloc since at least 2022 and continues to use it today. This represents the first confirmation of the use of ad-based surveillance tech in Europe. t.co/XwP0IFuTl5

Webloc is a global geolocation surveillance system that monitors hundreds of millions of people based on data purchased from consumer apps and digital advertising. It was developed by Cobwebs Technologies and is now sold by its successor Penlink.

NEW REPORT: “Uncovering Webloc: An Analysis of Penlink’s Ad-based Geolocation Surveillance Tech” Our research confirms that ad-based surveillance tech Webloc is used by military, intelligence, and law enforcement agencies across the globe. t.co/JAhezx0KUV

“People will fall back to what works, and they won’t think about security in those critical moments.” Senior researcher Ksenia Ermoshina spoke w/ the @nytimes about how Russians may start giving in to the limits imposed by state censorship technology. t.co/hjUUmlTdWX

In a submission to the @UNHumanRights Working Group regarding the use of tech in the operations and activities of mercenaries, mercenary-related actors and private military and security companies, co-author @RonDeibert warns that states should stop relying on the private sector for digital operations. Read it here: t.co/ukhl92eMFM

When it comes to the consequences of AI disinformation, “the risk cuts both ways,” senior researcher Alberto Fittarelli told the @nytimes. t.co/9kFPI8msfv

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

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