Thread by @natynettle

US @HouseIntel public hearing on Spyware is happening NOW!

@RepAdamSchiff is delivering a strong opening - commercial spyware like Pegasus is a threat to US National Security.

1/

Watch here:

2/ @jsrailton from @citizenlab is giving his testimony before the @HouseIntel.

Talks about the history of #NSO Pegasus deployment against US citizens and allies like the UK.

Spyware like #Pegasus & #Predator are threats to democracy and national security.

3/ @ShaneHuntley from @Google is speaking about how his company has been tracking #NSO #Pegasus spyware since 2017.

They now know of at least 30+ spyware vendors like NSO.

Such bad actors are making internet less safe for everyone.

4/ @ckanimba is bravely sharing her and her family experiences surviving the Rwandan genocide & then being targeted with #NSO #Pegasus.

Her testimony shows that NSO’s claims that their spyware is only used against terrorists & child predators are not true.

This abuse must stop

5/ @jsrailton from @citizenlab is sharing how they found FORCEDENTRY zero-day exploit used by #NSO #Pegasus.

@LoujainHathloul was instrumental in this discovery!

6/ @jsrailton says investors are realizing that spyware industry is risky.

We saw reports that #NSO valuation has dropped due to scandals.

@accessnow and partners @BHRRC @heartlandorg and others have been engaging investors on the dangers of investing in surveillance tech.

7/ Congressman @jahimes stresses the risks of using spyware to undermine US elections.

He also wanted to know the investors in spyware like #NSO & #Candiru.

@jsrailton says many of these investors like Oregon Public Pension Fund & Alaska Permanent Fund Corp are based in the US.

8/ @RepAndreCarson is asking how we can square using spyware against terrorists vs those who defend human rights.

@ckanimba says public safety is important but spyware like Pegasus does not make her feel safe.

@jsrailton says spyware industry misuses crime & terror narrative.

9/ @RepSpeier was asking about other US citizens targeted with spyware.

@jsrailton mentioned US activists in Mexico, Panama, as well as journalists like @NYTBen who was infected twice with #Pegasus.

10/ @JoaquinCastrotx said that @ckanimba was infected with Pegasus around the time when she was communicating with his office about her father’s release.

This underlines the risk of spyware to US officials & human rights.

@accessnow & partners have been saying this for years!

11/ @RepAdamSchiff said that @Microsoft also submitted a written testimony to the @HouseIntel on the subject of commercial spyware.

More companies should join the debate on this important issue!