The US is now the largest investor in commercial spyware
8 hours ago
- #spyware
- #human-rights
- #surveillance
- The United States is the largest investor in commercial spyware, posing threats to human rights and national security.
- In 2024, 20 new US-based spyware investors were identified, totaling 31 American backers.
- The spyware industry has outpaced investments from other major countries like Israel, Italy, and the UK.
- A study identified 34 new investors globally, bringing the total to 128 across 46 countries.
- Italy leads EU and Swiss spyware investors with 12, while Israel has 26.
- US investors include D.E. Shaw & Co., Millennium Management, Jane Street, and Ameriprise Financial, funding firms linked to human rights abuses.
- AE Industrial Partners acquired Israeli spyware vendor Paragon Solutions, linked to misconduct in Europe.
- Paragon's contract with ICE was reactivated, raising civil liberties concerns.
- Paragon's spyware targeted Italian journalists and was used by potential customers in multiple countries.