A PYMNTS Company

Google Urges Regulation of Surveillance Software Companies

By  |  February 6, 2024

Tech behemoth Google has taken a stand against the proliferation of surveillance software companies, highlighting their complicity in enabling the use of hazardous hacking tools. The internet giant called upon the United States and its allies to take decisive action to rein in the spyware industry, following revelations of widespread misuse of such technologies.

    Get the Full Story

    Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.

    yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today.

    By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.

    Spyware firms often justify their products as essential tools for governments to bolster national security. However, recent incidents have revealed a darker side to their operations, with these technologies being exploited to breach the privacy of civil society, political opponents, and journalists over the past decade. The industry’s practices have come under intensified scrutiny since the revelation of the Israeli firm NSO’s Pegasus spyware, which was discovered on the phones of numerous individuals globally, including human rights defenders.

    In a damning report released on Tuesday, Google researchers shed light on the pervasive nature of the issue, asserting that while NSO may be the most prominent player, there are countless smaller firms contributing to the proliferation of spy technology for nefarious purposes. Alphabet’s Google holds a unique vantage point in this regard, given its extensive reach across online platforms, providing unparalleled visibility into global hacking campaigns.

    Read more: EU Says Google Breached Antitrust Laws In Ad Tech

    The researchers from Google’s TAG threat-hunting team underscored the persistent demand from government clientele for such technologies. They emphasized the alarming extent to which commercial spyware vendors have facilitated the spread of hacking and surveillance capabilities, thereby compromising the safety and integrity of the internet for users worldwide.

    The tech giant’s unequivocal stance serves as a clarion call for regulatory action and industry reform to address the rampant abuse of surveillance technologies. With Google’s influential voice joining the chorus of concern, there is renewed hope for concerted efforts to curb the misuse of such tools and safeguard the fundamental rights of individuals in the digital age.

    Source: Reuters