The Citizen Lab

She will speak on the “Defend Across Borders: Safe Havens, Exile, and Transnational Repression” panel, discussing mobilization in exile, TNR, and the responsibilities of host states in responding to transnational threats against exiled dissidents and protecting the integrity of their own public spheres.

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

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.

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