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How to get to the "land of opportunities" if you like to spy on the network?
The US State Department has announced new restrictions on visa issuance for individuals associated with commercial use of spyware.
Secretary of State Anthony Blinken stressed that the new policy will allow restrictions on entry to the United States for those who are involved in the abuse of commercial spyware. This decision was taken amid concerns about the use of such tools to carry out arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances and even extrajudicial killings.
The Biden administration also issued an executive order prohibiting the U.S. government from using hired surveillance equipment that could pose a threat to national security or foreign policy interests.
In addition, guidelines have been published for other Governments to prevent misuse of surveillance technologies. They were developed in collaboration with 38 States as part of the Coalition for Internet Freedom .
In July 2023, four European companies engaged in commercial spyware were added to the list of subjects of the Bureau of Industry and Security due to their involvement in the distribution of cyber exploits. Intellexa and Cytrox were convicted of developing tools for spying on political opponents, restricting freedom of speech, and spying on the activities of journalists. While the Israeli Candiru and NSO Group were accused of developing software aimed at activists and journalists around the world.
Prior to the sanctions, the Google TAG threat analysis group linked Cytrox to exploiting vulnerabilities in the Predator spyware targeting Android users. Intellexa was listed as the developer of this software and its Alien loader. In addition, the Intellexa spyware was used in surveillance campaigns against high-ranking European politicians, journalists, and Meta executives.
Blinken expressed concern to the United States about the growing abuse of commercial spyware in the world, stressing that the country will continue to promote the prosecution of those involved in the misuse of such software.
The US State Department has announced new restrictions on visa issuance for individuals associated with commercial use of spyware.
Secretary of State Anthony Blinken stressed that the new policy will allow restrictions on entry to the United States for those who are involved in the abuse of commercial spyware. This decision was taken amid concerns about the use of such tools to carry out arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances and even extrajudicial killings.
The Biden administration also issued an executive order prohibiting the U.S. government from using hired surveillance equipment that could pose a threat to national security or foreign policy interests.
In addition, guidelines have been published for other Governments to prevent misuse of surveillance technologies. They were developed in collaboration with 38 States as part of the Coalition for Internet Freedom .
In July 2023, four European companies engaged in commercial spyware were added to the list of subjects of the Bureau of Industry and Security due to their involvement in the distribution of cyber exploits. Intellexa and Cytrox were convicted of developing tools for spying on political opponents, restricting freedom of speech, and spying on the activities of journalists. While the Israeli Candiru and NSO Group were accused of developing software aimed at activists and journalists around the world.
Prior to the sanctions, the Google TAG threat analysis group linked Cytrox to exploiting vulnerabilities in the Predator spyware targeting Android users. Intellexa was listed as the developer of this software and its Alien loader. In addition, the Intellexa spyware was used in surveillance campaigns against high-ranking European politicians, journalists, and Meta executives.
Blinken expressed concern to the United States about the growing abuse of commercial spyware in the world, stressing that the country will continue to promote the prosecution of those involved in the misuse of such software.
