The proliferation of spyware poses a serious threat to civil rights and civil liberties with few avenues for accountability. Despite representative promises by industry entities that the technology is provided to governments for uses limited to “preventing and investigating serious crime, including terrorism,” the technology has been used to target journalists, human rights defenders, and U.S. diplomats. Such targeting chills the exercise of free expression, undermining fundamental rights. Victims of spyware can seek redress through litigation, but people trying to obtain justice through the court system today can often face insurmountable barriers. Policymakers should step in and make it clear through legislation that U.S. courts are the correct venue for certain of these cases, thereby introducing a pathway for much needed accountability for these cyberattacks.
Unlocking Justice: A Policy Roadmap for Victims of Spyware (Nadine Farid Johnson – Just Security)
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