In a joint statement released today, the governments of Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, Denmark, France, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States recognize the threat posed by the misuse of commercially available spyware and the need to tighten national and international control related to the distribution and use of these technologies.

Commercial espionage tools have been used maliciously by authoritarian regimes as well as in the context of democracy, according to a related statement posted on the White House website today.

The statement notes that such powerful invasive tools have been used to intimidate opponents, restrict freedom of expression, suppress civil liberties and monitor individuals without the necessary legal clearance, among other things.

The misuse of these tools poses “significant risks to our national security,” said the aforementioned governments.

These governments undertake, when deemed necessary, on a case-by-case basis and without prejudice to national legal frameworks, to apply the Guidelines for State Use of Surveillance Technology and the Code of Ethics developed under the Export Control and Human Rights Initiative. .

In the same context, they undertake:

• Implement security measures to ensure that any use of commercial spyware is consistent with global human rights, rule of law, civil rights and freedoms.
• To prevent the sale/export of spyware to users who may use it maliciously
• To exchange information related to the distribution and use of spyware for commercial purposes.
• Engage other governments around the world in agreeing on relevant policies and controls.

“Our efforts will allow us to work together for the first time as we develop and implement policies to prevent the misuse of commercial spyware and encourage the development and implementation of responsible use principles consistent with respect for universal human rights, government law, civil rights. and civil liberties, the governments of Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, Denmark, France, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.”