US imposes spyware sanctions in wake of human rights reports

The US government has said that as part of efforts ‘to counter the ongoing proliferation and misuse of commercial spyware’ as documented in its 22 April-published Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, it is ‘taking steps to impose visa restrictions on 13 individuals who have been involved in the development and sale of commercial spyware or who are immediate family members of those involved.’

While it has not named those to whom the restrictions apply (nor has it named the countries with which they’re associated) it says, ‘These individuals have facilitated or derived financial benefit from the misuse of this technology, which has targeted journalists, academics, human rights defenders, dissidents and other perceived critics, and U.S. Government personnel,’ and that the restrictions are part of ‘a wider U.S. government initiative to counter the proliferation and misuse of commercial spyware.’

It points out that other steps it has taken include restrictions on the US government’s use of commercial spyware that poses a risk to national security or human rights, as well as ‘export controls and sanctions to promote accountability, and civil society and private sector engagement to identify innovative technological solutions to prevent and respond to such misuse, protect human rights defenders, and build victim resilience.’

https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/