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Illustration by Houlton Dannenberg, Freedom House
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Dear John,
Earlier this year, members of an Italian migrants’ rights group and a local journalist received warnings via text message that their phones had been targeted with commercial spyware. Reports later revealed that an Italian official had admitted that the intelligence services authorized the technology’s use against some of the targets. The abuse of commercial spyware threatens fundamental freedoms, facilitating improper surveillance that violates privacy rights, encourages self-censorship, and harms freedom of expression.
Recognizing the severe threats posed by commercial spyware and similar technologies, the UK and French governments announced the Pall Mall Process Code of Practice for States, which aims to establish best practices for the development of policies that combat commercial cyber intrusion capabilities.
While this is a step in the right direction, it also falls short in some key areas.
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Upcoming Events and Top Reads
- Freedom House 2025 Annual Awards: This year’s event is a critical opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to protecting democracy at home and abroad. It will take place on May 20, 2025, at 6:00 PM ET. Register Here.
- Joint Statement: Freedom House joined dozens of organizations in calling for the immediate and unconditional release of José Daniel Ferrer, Félix Navarro, and all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience arbitrarily detained in Cuba. Read More.
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Freedom House in the News
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Support Freedom House's Vital Work
For over 80 years, Freedom House has defended freedom, democracy, and essential rights around the world, helping persecuted dissidents find safety, exposing authoritarian abuse, and mobilizing policymakers to act. In the wake of a freeze in US foreign aid funding, we are calling on you to stand with us by making a donation to support our work.
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Introducing Political Prisoners Watch
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Our new feature draws attention to the ways in which antidemocratic leaders are attempting to imprison and silence democracy’s most courageous guardians, and to the broader effects that political imprisonment has on society. This first edition focuses on prisoners being held far away from their families, and the profound consequences of such separation.
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