April 23, 2024 at 09:43AM
The US State Department has imposed visa restrictions on 13 individuals involved in the development and sale of commercial spyware, targeting journalists, academics, and human rights defenders. This is part of the government’s efforts to combat the misuse of technology, with the latest move being a response to the abuse of NSO Group’s Pegasus mobile tracking tool.
The US State Department announced the imposition of visa restrictions on 13 individuals involved in the development and sale of commercial spyware, as well as their spouses and children. These measures are aimed at combatting the misuse of technology that has targeted journalists, academics, human rights defenders, dissidents, and US government personnel. This action is part of the government’s broader efforts to address human rights abuses associated with commercial spyware. Additionally, this move represents the first implementation of a spyware-related visa-restriction program announced in February. It is also part of a series of initiatives aimed at limiting the use of commercial spyware, including restrictions on the US government’s own use, export controls and sanctions, and private-public threat intelligence partnerships.