The supply of spyware to authoritarian and other rights-abusing governments has become a grave and urgent threat to human rights and press freedom around the world. Governments use this technology to surveil journalists, human rights advocates, and political opponents. The distribution of spyware to rights-abusing governments allows for corruption and transnational repression in violation of international law, introduces insecurity into digital ecosystems, degrades civic space, and encourages the exploitation of security vulnerabilities. 

The harms and security threats associated with spyware, and the barriers victims face to obtaining justice, underscore the need for action. Our policy work aims to promote accountability measures for the misuse of commercial spyware; protect the rights of privacy and freedom of expression; and secure spyware victims' access to U.S. courts in certain circumstances, including cases in which exploits of vulnerabilities in U.S. software enabled the surveillance of victims.