The US Department of State is imposing visa restrictions on 13 individuals involved in the development and sale of commercial spyware or their immediate family members. The measure aims to counter the misuse of surveillance technology targeting journalists, academics, human rights defenders, dissidents, and US Government personnel, as documented in the Country Reports on Human Rights Practices.
“the Department 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.” reads the announcement. “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.”
