Himes Statement on Executive Order Limiting U.S. Government Use of Spyware

Statement

"For some time, the Intelligence Committee has been tracking disturbing instances of powerful commercial spyware technologies used around the world to target U.S. government employees, human rights advocates, journalists, and more. Left unchecked, the indiscriminate proliferation of these invasive technologies threatens our national security and the privacy and security of Americans.

Today, I am encouraged to see President Biden take this critical step towards limiting the federal use of commercial spyware -- one that builds on the provisions enacted by the Intelligence Committee last year as part of the Intelligence Authorization Act. This is an issue of protecting democracy and human rights, and the President's Executive Order makes it abundantly clear: companies will be held accountable for violating those values.

There is still more to be done, and I urge the Administration to use all tools at their disposal to deter the misuse of this technology--including strong consideration of sanctioning rogue spyware companies, where authorities exist. I hope that the United States' firm leadership on this issue will inspire fellow democracies across the globe to take similar measures to protect their citizens' safety, privacy, and civil liberties."

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