Scworld Citizen Lab Warns of US Techno-Fascism and Surveillance Expansion
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- •Ron Deibert warns of US government's role in promoting commercial spyware.
- •The Trump administration may reverse progress against spyware firms.
- •AI is increasingly used for disinformation, amplifying threats to civil society.
Citizen Lab director Ron Deibert issued a warning about the rise of commercial spyware and surveillance, attributing significant responsibility to the US government and technology companies. Speaking at the SecTor 2026 conference, he described the current US administration's actions as part of a 'techno-fascism' movement, highlighting the use of spyware like NSO Group's Pegasus against journalists and dissidents. Deibert criticized the Trump administration for potentially reversing progress made against spyware firms and aligning with authoritarian leaders. He expressed concerns about the expansion of surveillance and the use of AI for disinformation, termed 'slopoganda.' The situation poses risks to civil society and vulnerable groups, with Deibert noting the troubling ties between tech executives and the Trump administration.
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