The DoS announced in a press release today a number of sanctions against the Intellexa Commercial Spyware Consortium. The release was as follows:
The United States will not tolerate the misuse of technologies that undermine Americans’ national security or that of our allies, nor will we tolerate the misuse of technologies to perpetrate human rights abuses or undermine freedom of expression. Today, we are imposing sanctions on five individuals and one entity associated with the Intellexa Consortium for their role in developing, operating, and distributing commercial spyware technology misused to target Americans, including U.S. Government officials, journalists, and policy experts.
The United States remains steadfast in its commitment to use all available tools to counter the misuse of sophisticated surveillance technologies. These designations build upon previous sanctions announced on March 5, among other accountability measures including export controls and visa restrictions. We will continue to counter the proliferation and misuse of commercial spyware as we create a pathway for the responsible development of technologies that aligns with the protection of human rights, privacy, and democratic values around the world.
The Intellexa Consortium is a complex international web of decentralized companies that built a comprehensive suite of highly invasive spyware products and continues to market these products to autocratic regimes and human rights abusers worldwide. The Department of the Treasury sanctions actions today were taken pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13694, as amended by E.O. 13757. For more information see: the State Department statement on the March 5 sanctions, the State Department statement on countering the proliferation and misuse of commercial spyware, and Treasury’s press release.
