US to Impose Visa Restrictions on Misusers of Commercial Spyware

The US will impose visa restrictions on individuals involved in the misuse of commercial spyware, according to a State Department announcement.

Spyware is a type of surveillance technology used to hack into mobile phones. It’s typically sold to law enforcement and government agencies for the stated purpose of catching criminals and terrorists. But critics say the technology is often misused to target government critics, rights activists, journalists and others.

The Biden administration has previously said more than 50 of its own diplomats and other US personnel on three continents were successfully targeted by spyware overseas. Last year, it issued an ...