profdeibert
@RonDeibert
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Director @citizenlab, @munkschool, @uoft. OUT NOW: Chasing Shadows (https://t.co/K61e3qMTk3)
toronto
Joined January 2012
NEW @citizenlab report: We uncovered a network of more than 50 inauthentic X profiles conducting an AI-enabled IO whose aim was to foment revolt in Iran We assess the Israeli gov, or a private contractor under its direction, is likely responsible https://t.co/9eYISB4LsO
citizenlab.ca
We investigate a coordinated network of inauthentic X accounts that is spreading AI-generated content to induce revolt in Iran. The network has been active since 2023, but increased activity during...
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Meet the man hunting the spies in your smartphone
technologyreview.com
Ronald Deibert and his research group, the Citizen Lab, have rigorously worked to unveil alarming digital threats for the past two decades. Now, he warns, this kind of work is under threat.
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Documents recovered after the fall of former Syrian dictator Bashar Al Assad show how Syriatel shared client phone data with an intelligence agency. https://t.co/VNx4R3r144
occrp.org
Documents recovered after the fall of former Syrian dictator Bashar Al Assad show how Syriatel shared client phone data with an intelligence agency.
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And next week, I'll be on a @FinancialTimes panel about Signalgate with @mer__edith and former US deputy national security advisor Anne Neuberger, details here: https://t.co/YrLyoCRE2k
globalboardroom.ft.com
The Global Boardroom, the Financial Times’ award-winning digital conference, will return for its ninth edition in December 2025. More than 100 leading voices from business, finance, government and...
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Good to hear that there is still a functioning "Inspector General" to look into this debacle. For those interested in learning more, I wrote about Signalgate for @ForeignAffairs here:
foreignaffairs.com
A surveillance arms race has poked a gaping hole in national security.
Breaking news: The Pentagon’s top watchdog found that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth violated security protocols meant to protect U.S. troops by using a personal device to share sensitive operational details on the messaging app Signal.
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Re-posting my oped from Sept's @globeandmail in light of Canada's 🇨🇦 new partnership with the Emiratis 🇦🇪 on energy and AI https://t.co/fAGC6aVn9d
theglobeandmail.com
AI is not just being deployed to expand human understanding, but to systematically subvert it as well
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I don't normally post complaints like this on Twitter, but... @AirCanada I was on hold four times trying to reach agents & after 45 minutes each time I was cut off. I have been an elite member for decades, and I travel a lot for my work. Your customer service sucks. Shameful
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On Dec 11, tune in for @RonDeibert's conversation w/ @signalapp president @mer__edith about the critical lessons learned from the Signalgate scandal at #FTGlobalBoardroom @FTLive. Learn more: https://t.co/JM6XIGrRPA
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WEBINAR: Join us for a timely conversation on how digital repression and surveillance are reshaping women’s participation in peacebuilding and the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda. When: Nov 26 at 9:30 am ET / 3:30 pm CET Where: Online Register: https://t.co/6AJn0Qt6yO
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Bad news for human rights and national security, no matter how you spin it NSO Group has a new executive chairman, David Friedman, who's a former U.S. ambassador to Israel and onetime bankruptcy lawyer for President Trump. https://t.co/hhFOGQMQnM via @WSJ
wsj.com
Investors led by Hollywood producer Robert Simonds have taken a controlling stake in the company behind Pegasus, and former Trump official David Friedman has been named executive chairman.
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How do authoritarian surveillance mechanisms affect those targeted, and how should societies respond? On Nov 12, Citizen Lab senior researcher @jsrailton will be at #BerlinFreedomWeek to share his expertise in the panel discussion titled “From Stasi to Spyware: Old Tactics, New
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Researchers at the Citizen Lab and director @RonDeibert sign open letter to the Canadian Minister of AI and Minister of Industry rejecting the “National Sprint” on AI strategy. Read it here:
bccla.org
The Honourable Mélanie JolyMinister of IndustryHouse of CommonsOttawa, OntarioK1A 0A6 The Honourable Evan SolomonMinister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital InnovationHouse of CommonsOttawa,...
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Citizen Lab's Alberto Fittarelli speaks with @NegarMortazavi about Israel-linked influence operations pushing for regime change in #Iran. Listen to the new episode of the @IranPodcast here:
podcasts.apple.com
Podcast Episode · The Iran Podcast · 10/27/2025 · 35m
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“It’s astonishing how the industry is able to experiment on human populations with such far-reaching technology and largely unrestrained.” Citizen Lab director @RonDeibert discusses the ethical risks of AI in an interview with @financialpost. https://t.co/MOLCF7jXH7
financialpost.com
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Canada’s Bill C-8 (formerly Bill C-26) is proposed #cybersecurity legislation that proposes broad data collection & sharing powers, including warrantless information collection, and could also undermine encryption and communications security.
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Everyone is talking about AI. It's obviously having a transformative impact across all sectors of society. So how should the Canadian government approach it? My interview with Yvonne Lau for the @financialpost
https://t.co/xWOIxnWBp8
financialpost.com
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Great job @gabriels_geiger and colleagues
We made more than 100 cold calls. Each one began the same way: “You’ve been targeted by government-grade surveillance tech.” In our @LHreports collab with @reveal you can hear the voices on the other end
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This is an important victory for the security of users worldwide and against mercenary surveillance firms that exploit vulnerabilities to facilitate acts of repression. Kudos for WhatsApp for sticking with the battle over six years.
Today’s ruling bans spyware maker NSO from ever targeting WhatsApp and our global users again. We applaud this decision that comes after six years of litigation to hold NSO accountable for targeting members of civil society. It sets an important precedent that there are serious
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This is wild stuff. Sicking the IRS on your political opponents. Not in secret. Openly, shamelessly The Trump administration is preparing changes at the IRS that would allow the agency to pursue criminal inquiries of left-leaning groups more easily
wsj.com
The effort would install a Trump ally at the IRS’s criminal unit who has drawn up a list of investigative targets.
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I am honoured to be awarded the Sterling Prize in Support of Controversy from @SFU On behalf of all of my colleagues @citizenlab and our partners around the world, we appreciate the recognition of work https://t.co/ljBlyjyJSj
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مرکز پژوهشی «سیتیزنلب» وابسته به دانشگاه تورنتو، در گزارشی تازه از شناسایی یک کارزار سازمانیافته در شبکههای اجتماعی فارسیزبان خبر داده است. https://t.co/KIAja9FOb8 📷 citizenlab
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