The targeting of Serbian activists with advanced spyware (Report, 4 September) is the latest warning in a mounting record of abuse that makes the systemic and foreseeable risks of the commercial spyware industry increasingly impossible to ignore. Investors who aren’t paying attention are leaving their portfolios exposed to growing financial, reputational and human rights risks.
Despite industry assurances that its technology is intended only for investigating terrorists and criminals, spyware has repeatedly been linked to the targeting of journalists, activists, elected officials, opposition leaders, lawyers, judges, academics and civil society. The fallout for the companies involved has been serious: costly litigation, criminal complaints, crippling sanctions, judicial investigations, tightening export restrictions, executives being convicted, severe reputational damage and, in some cases, financial collapse.
