Biden Bans Government Use of Commercial Spyware
The Facts
US Pres. Biden on Monday signed an executive order banning federal agencies and departments from using commercial spyware that could pose national security risks or be misused to violate human rights globally.
The order bans spyware that could be used by foreign governments or people to gain access to US government devices, uses data obtained without government authorization, intends to disclose non-public information about the government, or is controlled by a foreign government.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Coming on the heels of Congress' restrictions on former members of the intelligence community, and a US ban on Israel’s NSO Group — which created the powerful Pegasus spyware that spied on journalists and politicians — this order continues to make protecting the US and its allies from hackers a top priority. It’s important to establish guidelines for the currently unregulated use of spyware and sets a strong example for other countries.
Establishment-critical narrative
It has been a decade since Edward Snowden revealed that the US intelligence community spied on American citizens. An analysis of that leak found that 90% of the National Security Agency's data was collected on ordinary citizens, but the government still hasn't ended the initiative. Instead, the government has shifted attention away from its Orwellian tactics and made people think foreign actors using commercial spyware are the biggest threat.
