Joint Statement Efforts to Counter the Proliferation and Misuse of Commercial Spyware

Originally announced at the second Summit for Democracy in March 2023, this Joint Statement has been endorsed by an expanding group of countries committed to addressing the misuse of commercial spyware.

As of September 2024, 21 nations, including Australia, Germany, Japan, and the United States, recognize the threats posed by such technology, especially its misuse by authoritarian regimes and its impact on civil liberties.

The statement emphasizes the need for strict controls on commercial spyware, which has been used to intimidate dissenters and violate human rights. The signatory governments share a fundamental interest in preventing the proliferation of these tools to protect individuals, uphold democratic principles, and ensure national security.

To achieve these goals, the countries commit to:

1. Establishing robust procedures to ensure commercial spyware use aligns with human rights and civil liberties.

2. Preventing the export of spyware to likely malicious users.

3. Sharing information on spyware proliferation and misuse.

4. Collaborating with industry and civil society to raise awareness and set standards.

5. Engaging additional governments and stakeholders to align policies and export controls.

These collective efforts aim to discourage the misuse of spyware and promote responsible usage aligned with human rights and the rule of law.