President Biden prohibits use of commercial spy software by federal agencies
President Joe Biden signed a decree yesterday that prohibits federal agencies from using commercial spy software that poses a threat to US security or has been used by foreign entities for other purposes. The White House noted that the use of such software applies not only to authoritarian states, but also to democratic governments known to use it for tracking their own citizens without legal permission and supervision measures.
The decree is intended to curb the growing number of cases of abuse of spy software, as well as against US officials, government systems, and ordinary citizens. Biden’s order indicates the abuse of spying technologies, including attempts by foreign governments or individuals to access the electronic device of the US citizen or tracking them without legal permission.
The directive also indicates the purpose of using technology, including intimidation of activists, dissidents, or other subjects; containing dissent or political opposition; restriction of freedom of expression, peaceful meetings, or associations; and violation of rights person or suppression of civil freedoms.
The order defines the steps that suppliers of commercial spy software can take to avoid accusations of creating potential risks to citizens’ safety, such as the cancellation of the relevant license agreements or contracts. However, it does not require the creation of a list of organizations that violate the law, since each violation “must be determined in each particular case.” The order also does not require the public to be notified in the event of an incident.
A representative of the administration stressed that this order will create certain standards regarding the identification and prohibition of commercial spy software, which were not in place until this moment in the United States. The directive will allow the United States to “set an example” to other countries.
The White House revealed 50 cases of espionage when US employees were in at least 10 different countries. Biden’s executive order aims to protect the citizens’ right to privacy and security by addressing the potential misuse of commercial spy software.