US cracks down on spyware vendor Intellexa with more sanctions

September 16, 2024 at 12:36PM The U.S. Department of the Treasury has imposed sanctions on five executives and one entity associated with the Intellexa Consortium for developing and distributing Predator commercial spyware. This spyware, used by state-sponsored actors and governments, allowed access to sensitive information on victims’ smartphones. The sanctions aim to deter the misuse … Read more

US imposes visa bans on 13 spyware makers and their families

April 23, 2024 at 11:44AM The US Department of State has initiated visa restrictions on 13 individuals and their families linked to commercial spyware operations, aiming to combat the proliferation and misuse of spyware. This aligns with broader efforts, including export controls and sanctions, to address the misuse of spyware. The Biden Administration has issued … Read more

U.S. Cracks Down on Predatory Spyware Firm for Targeting Officials and Journalists

March 6, 2024 at 03:15AM The U.S. Treasury’s OFAC sanctioned individuals and entities linked to Intellexa Alliance for distributing spyware targeting government officials and journalists. The group, including companies like Cytrox, developed the Predator spyware, similar to NSO Group’s Pegasus, enabling unauthorized data access. The sanctions aim to address misuse of commercial spyware and protect … Read more

Lawmakers Want Clampdown on American VCs Funding Chinese Tech Companies

February 9, 2024 at 04:09PM A bipartisan congressional report revealed that several US venture capital firms invested over $3 billion in Chinese technology companies, fueling concerns about national security threats. The firms, including GGV Capital and Sequoia Capital, channeled funds into AI, semiconductor, and cybersecurity ventures with links to China’s military and surveillance activities, prompting … Read more

World Govs, Tech Giants Sign Spyware Responsibility Pledge

February 6, 2024 at 03:16PM Dozens of countries, including France, the UK, and the US, and tech giants like Google, Meta, and Microsoft, have joined forces to combat the misuse of commercial spyware violating human rights. The coalition aims to establish guidelines and transparency in the development and use of these cyber-intrusion capabilities. The initiative … Read more

US to Roll Out Visa Restrictions on People Who Misuse Spyware to Target Journalists, Activists

February 5, 2024 at 06:06PM The Biden administration has implemented a new policy allowing visa restrictions on individuals involved in misusing commercial spyware to target journalists, activists, and marginalized communities. This action aims to address privacy and human rights concerns. Notably, the policy could affect citizens of any country and reflects growing international concerns about … Read more

US announces visa ban on those linked to commercial spyware

February 5, 2024 at 03:26PM The State Department led by Antony J. Blinken introduced a visa restriction policy targeting individuals linked to the misuse of commercial spyware, citing it as a threat to human rights and U.S. security. The Biden Administration issued an Executive Order to prevent the use of mercenary surveillance tools, and the … Read more