1. Why Does the Global Spyware Industry Continue to Thrive? Trends, Explanations, and Responses
- Author:
- Steven Feldstein and Brian (Chun Hey) Kot
- Publication Date:
- 03-2023
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
- Abstract:
- The global spyware and digital forensics industry continues to grow despite public backlash following an array of surveillance scandals, many linked to NSO Group’s Pegasus program. This paper explores the resilience of the commercial spyware market and offers ideas about how to limit the spread of invasive cyber surveillance tools. It highlights several factors driving the industry, including elevated demand for intrusion technology from government clients and private customers, as well as inconsistent political will from democratic governments to crack down on these technologies.
- Topic:
- Science and Technology, Cybersecurity, Democracy, Surveillance, Industry, Forensic Science, and Autocracy
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus