On Friday, January 22nd, President Joe Biden issued an executive order that effectively bans federal agencies from using commercial spyware. This ban includes funds that would be used to purchase and develop associated technologies. The order is meant to protect against foreign adversaries using the tools to target US citizens.
The executive order is split into two parts: Part One of the order states that “no agencies shall purchase or use any commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) cyber surveillance technology; and part two states that “no agencies shall develop any new or altered applications of cyber surveillance technology.” The order doesn’t apply to existing government-developed tools and technologies that are used within federal agencies.
Commercial spyware is technology that can monitor, track, and record data from phone messages, emails, social media, internet activity, and other digital communications. There have been cases where the technology has been used by hostile foreign actors to spy on US citizens and companies. The executive order is designed to protect against this type of malicious activity.
The executive order is part of an overall effort by the Biden administration to protect against cyber attacks and digital threats. In his State of the Union address last week, President Biden called for increased investment in cybersecurity, saying “We’re going to make sure our digital infrastructure is secure from attack – from nation states, well-funded cyber criminals, and ransomware gangs.”
The executive order is a clear indication that the Biden administration is taking the threat of cyber security seriously. It should be welcomed by citizens and businesses alike, as it moves to protect private data and prevent exploitation by foreign adversaries. The order is also a strong statement of the importance of data privacy and security in the modern era. It’s likely that other countries will follow suit, as they look to bolster their own digital security measures.
