Google Calls for Action Against Surveillance Software Companies

Google condemned a group of surveillance software companies yesterday, saying they enable the use of dangerous hacking tools, and urged the United States and its allies to make greater efforts to curb the surveillance software industry, according to Reuters.

Spyware companies claim their products are intended for government use for national security purposes, but they have been found to be used to infiltrate the phones of civil society, political opposition, and journalists over the past decade.

This industry has come under increased scrutiny since the discovery of the Pegasus spyware, developed by the Israeli company NSO, on the phones of many individuals worldwide, including human rights defenders.

In a report released on Tuesday, researchers at Google said NSO is a well-known company, but there are dozens of smaller companies helping to spread spy technology for malicious purposes.

The United States and several of its allies committed last year to work to curb the surveillance software industry after discovering that at least 50 U.S. government officials in 10 countries were targeted with spyware.

Google’s report comes a day after the United States announced a new policy to restrict visas for individuals it described as misusing commercial spyware.

Google said in its statement, “Limiting the ability of spyware vendors to operate in the United States helps change the incentive structure that has allowed them to continue growing.