Ron Deibert
@rondeibert.bsky.social
Director of The Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto's Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy
Author of Chasing Shadows https://chasingshadowsbook.ca/
Author of Chasing Shadows https://chasingshadowsbook.ca/
Pinned
Ron Deibert
@rondeibert.bsky.social
· Oct 8
We Say You Want a Revolution: PRISONBREAK - An AI-Enabled Influence Operation Aimed at Overthrowing the Iranian Regime - The Citizen Lab
We investigate a coordinated network of inauthentic X accounts that is spreading AI-generated content to induce revolt in Iran. The network has been active since 2023, but increased activity during th...
citizenlab.ca
NEW @citizenlab.ca report (10/02/25)
We uncovered a network of more than 50 inauthentic X profiles conducting an AI-enabled IO whose aim was to foment revolt in Iran We assess the Israeli gov, or a private contractor under its direction, is likely responsible
citizenlab.ca/2025/10/ai-e...
We uncovered a network of more than 50 inauthentic X profiles conducting an AI-enabled IO whose aim was to foment revolt in Iran We assess the Israeli gov, or a private contractor under its direction, is likely responsible
citizenlab.ca/2025/10/ai-e...
Re Signalgate
As the IG report rightly flagged, one issue easily overlooked is the use of "a personal cell phone to conduct official business and send nonpublic DoD information" 🧵
As the IG report rightly flagged, one issue easily overlooked is the use of "a personal cell phone to conduct official business and send nonpublic DoD information" 🧵
December 9, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Re Signalgate
As the IG report rightly flagged, one issue easily overlooked is the use of "a personal cell phone to conduct official business and send nonpublic DoD information" 🧵
As the IG report rightly flagged, one issue easily overlooked is the use of "a personal cell phone to conduct official business and send nonpublic DoD information" 🧵
Garbage in, garbage out, back in again, and out, endlessly expanding in bubbling waves. The "public sphere" is fast becoming a grotesque toxic cesspool -- and there's little effort being made to contain and limit it.
In fact, it's as if the overwhelming public policy consensus is to accelerate it
In fact, it's as if the overwhelming public policy consensus is to accelerate it
Apps like OpenAI’s Sora are fooling millions of users into thinking A.I. videos are real, even when they include warning labels.
A.I. Videos Have Flooded Social Media. No One Was Ready.
Apps like OpenAI’s Sora are fooling millions of users into thinking A.I. videos are real, even when they include warning labels.
nyti.ms
December 9, 2025 at 5:32 AM
Garbage in, garbage out, back in again, and out, endlessly expanding in bubbling waves. The "public sphere" is fast becoming a grotesque toxic cesspool -- and there's little effort being made to contain and limit it.
In fact, it's as if the overwhelming public policy consensus is to accelerate it
In fact, it's as if the overwhelming public policy consensus is to accelerate it
Canada's 🇨🇦 independent oversight of its intel & security agencies is taking a hit b/c of federal budget cuts
That's troubling: the agency is relatively new, was building up experienced people & knowledge, & now will be set back
It was already overstretched & met resistance
Bad for rule of law
That's troubling: the agency is relatively new, was building up experienced people & knowledge, & now will be set back
It was already overstretched & met resistance
Bad for rule of law
One of the watchdogs meant to keep Canada's intelligence and security activities in check says its ability to scrutinize those powerful organizations will be hindered due to government spending cuts.
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Intelligence watchdog facing cuts as Liberals seek new powers for national security agencies | CBC News
One of the watchdogs meant to keep Canada's intelligence and security activities in check is warning it will have to reduce the number of reviews it can take on due to the Liberal government’s spendin...
www.cbc.ca
December 7, 2025 at 4:24 AM
Canada's 🇨🇦 independent oversight of its intel & security agencies is taking a hit b/c of federal budget cuts
That's troubling: the agency is relatively new, was building up experienced people & knowledge, & now will be set back
It was already overstretched & met resistance
Bad for rule of law
That's troubling: the agency is relatively new, was building up experienced people & knowledge, & now will be set back
It was already overstretched & met resistance
Bad for rule of law
Putting aside whatever he's saying, which is incomprehensible to me at least, it made me wonder...
Do billionaires organize substance abuse interventions on each others' behalf? Maybe on a private island?
Do billionaires organize substance abuse interventions on each others' behalf? Maybe on a private island?
December 5, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Putting aside whatever he's saying, which is incomprehensible to me at least, it made me wonder...
Do billionaires organize substance abuse interventions on each others' behalf? Maybe on a private island?
Do billionaires organize substance abuse interventions on each others' behalf? Maybe on a private island?
Thank you @michelawrong.bsky.social and @niaolainf.bsky.social for selecting Chasing Shadows as your 2025 book of year recce in @thespectator1828.bsky.social (www.spectator.co.uk/article/book...) and @justsecurity.org (www.justsecurity.org/126111/just-...) respectively.
I appreciate it very much!
I appreciate it very much!
Books of the Year II – further recommendations from our regular reviewers
Philip Hensher I have a theory that Mick Herron’s Slow Horses novels are an ingenious variation on Shakespeare’s Henry IV plays. If, in a future episode, River Cartwright ascends to his kingdom renoun...
www.spectator.co.uk
December 5, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Thank you @michelawrong.bsky.social and @niaolainf.bsky.social for selecting Chasing Shadows as your 2025 book of year recce in @thespectator1828.bsky.social (www.spectator.co.uk/article/book...) and @justsecurity.org (www.justsecurity.org/126111/just-...) respectively.
I appreciate it very much!
I appreciate it very much!
It is good to see enforcement of the EU Digital Services Act against X. We need more principled democratic governance of tech platforms, and penalties for non-compliance 1)
Elon Musk’s X Hit With $140 Million Fine in Europe www.nytimes.com/2025/12/05/t...
Elon Musk’s X Hit With $140 Million Fine in Europe www.nytimes.com/2025/12/05/t...
Elon Musk’s X Hit With $140 Million Fine in Europe
www.nytimes.com
December 5, 2025 at 1:24 PM
It is good to see enforcement of the EU Digital Services Act against X. We need more principled democratic governance of tech platforms, and penalties for non-compliance 1)
Elon Musk’s X Hit With $140 Million Fine in Europe www.nytimes.com/2025/12/05/t...
Elon Musk’s X Hit With $140 Million Fine in Europe www.nytimes.com/2025/12/05/t...
Great work showing yet more
mercenary spyware abuses, this time in Iraq and Pakistan involving shady Intellexa and its Predator spyware 👇
mercenary spyware abuses, this time in Iraq and Pakistan involving shady Intellexa and its Predator spyware 👇
1/ Today we release a new report exposing previously undisclosed entities connected to the wider #Intellexa ecosystem as well as newly identified activity clusters in Iraq and indications of activity in Pakistan: www.recordedfuture.com/research/int...
Intellexa’s Global Corporate Web
www.recordedfuture.com
December 4, 2025 at 5:00 AM
Great work showing yet more
mercenary spyware abuses, this time in Iraq and Pakistan involving shady Intellexa and its Predator spyware 👇
mercenary spyware abuses, this time in Iraq and Pakistan involving shady Intellexa and its Predator spyware 👇
Reposted by Ron Deibert
8/ A public service reminder:
This entire exercise is an absurd, imaginary world for legal experts.
That's because the truth is:
It's not an armed conflict.
The laws of war thus don't apply.
The more restrictive rules of human rights apply.
It's extrajudicial killing under that law.
This entire exercise is an absurd, imaginary world for legal experts.
That's because the truth is:
It's not an armed conflict.
The laws of war thus don't apply.
The more restrictive rules of human rights apply.
It's extrajudicial killing under that law.
December 4, 2025 at 2:34 AM
8/ A public service reminder:
This entire exercise is an absurd, imaginary world for legal experts.
That's because the truth is:
It's not an armed conflict.
The laws of war thus don't apply.
The more restrictive rules of human rights apply.
It's extrajudicial killing under that law.
This entire exercise is an absurd, imaginary world for legal experts.
That's because the truth is:
It's not an armed conflict.
The laws of war thus don't apply.
The more restrictive rules of human rights apply.
It's extrajudicial killing under that law.
Just another day of unfiltered white nationalist racist garbage from the White House
Trump, continued: "What the Somalian people have done to Minnesota is not even believable. It’s not even believable. And a lot of it starts with the governor. A lot of it starts with Barack HUSSEIN Obama, because that’s when people started coming in... They want to kiss our country good night."
December 3, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Just another day of unfiltered white nationalist racist garbage from the White House
Good to hear there is still an "Inspector General" at all that is looking into this debacle.
For those interested in learning more, I wrote about the real risks of SignalGate here www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
For those interested in learning more, I wrote about the real risks of SignalGate here www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
December 3, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Good to hear there is still an "Inspector General" at all that is looking into this debacle.
For those interested in learning more, I wrote about the real risks of SignalGate here www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
For those interested in learning more, I wrote about the real risks of SignalGate here www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
The Trump administration is being open about its plans to violate Americans’ First and Fourth Amendment rights armed with a slew of commercial surveillance systems
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
ICE Wants to Go After Dissenters as well as Immigrants
The Trump administration is being open about its plans to violate Americans’ First and Fourth Amendment rights.
www.brennancenter.org
December 1, 2025 at 12:55 PM
The Trump administration is being open about its plans to violate Americans’ First and Fourth Amendment rights armed with a slew of commercial surveillance systems
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
Same for us @citizenlab.ca
Bellingcat’s contact email has always been a magnet for people with fairly unusual views; paranoid delusions, sprawling conspiracies, the works. But recently, the pattern has shifted, we’re seeing more and more emails clearly written with ChatGPT.
November 30, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Same for us @citizenlab.ca
A self-inflicted ticking time bomb
The federal government’s ability to counter cyberespionage, destructive hacks and organized criminal scams is declining under the Trump administration just as artificial intelligence supercharges those threats.
The U.S. has been cutting cyber defenses as AI boosts attacks
While artificial intelligence powers the offense, defense guidance is spotty and fewer officials are in a position to help fend off hackers and spies.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 29, 2025 at 6:56 AM
A self-inflicted ticking time bomb
Reposted by Ron Deibert
what hegseth describes is deeply criminal under international law and, before his tenure, accepted law for the US armed forces. we cannot let this go. it's not about policy difference. it's murder under the color of law.
November 29, 2025 at 2:18 AM
what hegseth describes is deeply criminal under international law and, before his tenure, accepted law for the US armed forces. we cannot let this go. it's not about policy difference. it's murder under the color of law.
Reposted by Ron Deibert
AI is reshaping how we live, work, and communicate. But how will it change democracy?
On Dec 2 join #UofT's Bruce Schneier, Beth Coleman & @rondeibert.bsky.social for "Rewiring Democracy: How AI Will Transform Our Politics, Government, and Citizenship."
munkschool.utoronto.ca/event/rewiri...
On Dec 2 join #UofT's Bruce Schneier, Beth Coleman & @rondeibert.bsky.social for "Rewiring Democracy: How AI Will Transform Our Politics, Government, and Citizenship."
munkschool.utoronto.ca/event/rewiri...
November 27, 2025 at 7:05 PM
AI is reshaping how we live, work, and communicate. But how will it change democracy?
On Dec 2 join #UofT's Bruce Schneier, Beth Coleman & @rondeibert.bsky.social for "Rewiring Democracy: How AI Will Transform Our Politics, Government, and Citizenship."
munkschool.utoronto.ca/event/rewiri...
On Dec 2 join #UofT's Bruce Schneier, Beth Coleman & @rondeibert.bsky.social for "Rewiring Democracy: How AI Will Transform Our Politics, Government, and Citizenship."
munkschool.utoronto.ca/event/rewiri...
Politicized investigations against political enemies are a key feature of authoritarian systems
@reuters.com documented at least 470 targets of retribution under 🇺🇸 Trump’s leadership – from federal employees and prosecutors to universities and media outlets.
www.reuters.com/investigates...
@reuters.com documented at least 470 targets of retribution under 🇺🇸 Trump’s leadership – from federal employees and prosecutors to universities and media outlets.
www.reuters.com/investigates...
Trump’s campaign of retribution: At least 470 targets and counting
A Reuters investigation documents at least 470 acts of retribution under Trump’s leadership.
www.reuters.com
November 27, 2025 at 4:22 AM
Politicized investigations against political enemies are a key feature of authoritarian systems
@reuters.com documented at least 470 targets of retribution under 🇺🇸 Trump’s leadership – from federal employees and prosecutors to universities and media outlets.
www.reuters.com/investigates...
@reuters.com documented at least 470 targets of retribution under 🇺🇸 Trump’s leadership – from federal employees and prosecutors to universities and media outlets.
www.reuters.com/investigates...
Reposted by Ron Deibert
Nearly a year has passed since Assad’s regime collapsed. Disinformation has only intensified, shaping public opinion and deepening uncertainty.
Back in January, I explored this in an article with @timep.bsky.social
The patterns I described remain active in post-Assad Syria today. #Disinformation
Back in January, I explored this in an article with @timep.bsky.social
The patterns I described remain active in post-Assad Syria today. #Disinformation
Disinformation is fueling fear and division in Syria’s new political landscape. In this earlier piece, @noura.bsky.social breaks down the emergent trends in disinformation in Syria as well as the actors and tactics shaping the narrative.
timep.org/2025/01/30/t...
timep.org/2025/01/30/t...
Truth in Transition: Disinformation in Post-Assad Syria
Disinformation fuels fear and division in Syria’s new political landscape, eroding trust and blocking the path to a peaceful political transition.
timep.org
November 22, 2025 at 2:46 AM
Nearly a year has passed since Assad’s regime collapsed. Disinformation has only intensified, shaping public opinion and deepening uncertainty.
Back in January, I explored this in an article with @timep.bsky.social
The patterns I described remain active in post-Assad Syria today. #Disinformation
Back in January, I explored this in an article with @timep.bsky.social
The patterns I described remain active in post-Assad Syria today. #Disinformation
A judge issued a permanent injunction against NSO Group targeting WhatsApp.
Now, NSO Group is petitioning for that to be overturned, saying it would prevent them from doing business in the USA, which they desperately want
cyberscoop.com/nso-group-wh...
Now, NSO Group is petitioning for that to be overturned, saying it would prevent them from doing business in the USA, which they desperately want
cyberscoop.com/nso-group-wh...
NSO Group argues WhatsApp injunction threatens existence, future U.S. government work
The spyware vendor made those two arguments, among others, in a motion to stay the California court ruling.
cyberscoop.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:58 PM
A judge issued a permanent injunction against NSO Group targeting WhatsApp.
Now, NSO Group is petitioning for that to be overturned, saying it would prevent them from doing business in the USA, which they desperately want
cyberscoop.com/nso-group-wh...
Now, NSO Group is petitioning for that to be overturned, saying it would prevent them from doing business in the USA, which they desperately want
cyberscoop.com/nso-group-wh...
US border patrol is monitoring millions of American drivers in a secretive program to identify & detain people whose travel patterns it deems suspicious
The predictive intelligence program has resulted in people being stopped, searched and in some cases arrested.
apnews.com/article/immi...
The predictive intelligence program has resulted in people being stopped, searched and in some cases arrested.
apnews.com/article/immi...
Border Patrol is monitoring US drivers and detaining those with 'suspicious' travel patterns
The U.S. Border Patrol is monitoring millions of American drivers nationwide in a secretive program to identify and detain people whose travel patterns it deems suspicious.
apnews.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:51 PM
US border patrol is monitoring millions of American drivers in a secretive program to identify & detain people whose travel patterns it deems suspicious
The predictive intelligence program has resulted in people being stopped, searched and in some cases arrested.
apnews.com/article/immi...
The predictive intelligence program has resulted in people being stopped, searched and in some cases arrested.
apnews.com/article/immi...
Reposted by Ron Deibert
Join us next week for an interesting conversation on WPS and digital authoritarianism.
Join us on Nov 26 to explore how gender, technology, and authoritarianism intersect to shape women’s participation in peace and security.
Get info & register: citizenlab.ca/2025/11/webi...
@amnesty.org @sheassociates.bsky.social @mmichae1sen.bsky.social @noura.bsky.social @sanstis.bsky.social
Get info & register: citizenlab.ca/2025/11/webi...
@amnesty.org @sheassociates.bsky.social @mmichae1sen.bsky.social @noura.bsky.social @sanstis.bsky.social
November 19, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Join us next week for an interesting conversation on WPS and digital authoritarianism.
Absolutely vile
Trump suggests Khashoggi had it coming: "You're mentioning someone that was extremely controversial. A lot of people didn't like that gentleman that you're talking about. Whether you like him or didn't like him, things happen. But he knew nothing about it. You don't have to embarrass our guest."
November 18, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Absolutely vile
Reposted by Ron Deibert
On Dec 11, tune in for @rondeibert.bsky.social's conversation w/ @signal.org president @meredithmeredith.bsky.social about the critical lessons learned from the Signalgate scandal at @financialtimes.com #FTGlobalBoardroom conference.
Learn more: globalboardroom.ft.com/agenda/sessi...
Learn more: globalboardroom.ft.com/agenda/sessi...
November 17, 2025 at 10:19 PM
On Dec 11, tune in for @rondeibert.bsky.social's conversation w/ @signal.org president @meredithmeredith.bsky.social about the critical lessons learned from the Signalgate scandal at @financialtimes.com #FTGlobalBoardroom conference.
Learn more: globalboardroom.ft.com/agenda/sessi...
Learn more: globalboardroom.ft.com/agenda/sessi...
What's ChatGPT?
Intimate by design and highly invasive.
Dispensing dubious health, legal, psychological and other advice to vulnerable people without license.
A corporate black box of personally identifiable data, shared with governments upon request.
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
Intimate by design and highly invasive.
Dispensing dubious health, legal, psychological and other advice to vulnerable people without license.
A corporate black box of personally identifiable data, shared with governments upon request.
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
We analyzed 47,000 ChatGPT conversations. Here’s what people really use it for.
What do people ask the popular chatbot? We analyzed thousands of chats to identify common topics discussed by users and patterns in ChatGPT’s responses.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 12, 2025 at 10:32 PM
What's ChatGPT?
Intimate by design and highly invasive.
Dispensing dubious health, legal, psychological and other advice to vulnerable people without license.
A corporate black box of personally identifiable data, shared with governments upon request.
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
Intimate by design and highly invasive.
Dispensing dubious health, legal, psychological and other advice to vulnerable people without license.
A corporate black box of personally identifiable data, shared with governments upon request.
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
A firm that sells extraordinarily powerful phone hacking technology that has been demonstrably connected to widespread harms worldwide, including gruesome murder, and was properly sanctioned and held liable because of it
....is now in the hands of these people.
That's Bad News, everyone.
....is now in the hands of these people.
That's Bad News, everyone.
Former Trump official appointed exec chairman of spyware company NSO Group. David Friedman previously served as Trump's ambassador to Israel + before that was a bankruptcy lawyer for the president. NSO was recently acquired by investors led by a Hollywood producer therecord.media/former-trump...
Former Trump official named NSO Group executive chairman
NSO Group announced Friedman’s appointment on Sunday, saying that NSO’s three founders no longer have any stake in the firm.
therecord.media
November 11, 2025 at 4:55 AM
A firm that sells extraordinarily powerful phone hacking technology that has been demonstrably connected to widespread harms worldwide, including gruesome murder, and was properly sanctioned and held liable because of it
....is now in the hands of these people.
That's Bad News, everyone.
....is now in the hands of these people.
That's Bad News, everyone.
Bad news for human rights and national security, no matter how you spin it
NSO Group has a new executive chairman, David Friedman, who's a former U.S. ambassador to Israel and onetime bankruptcy lawyer for President Trump.
www.wsj.com/tech/israeli... via @WSJ
NSO Group has a new executive chairman, David Friedman, who's a former U.S. ambassador to Israel and onetime bankruptcy lawyer for President Trump.
www.wsj.com/tech/israeli... via @WSJ
Israeli Spyware Maker NSO Gets New Owners, Leadership and Seeks to Mend Reputation
Investors led by Hollywood producer Robert Simonds have taken a controlling stake in the company behind Pegasus, and former Trump official David Friedman has been named executive chairman.
www.wsj.com
November 9, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Bad news for human rights and national security, no matter how you spin it
NSO Group has a new executive chairman, David Friedman, who's a former U.S. ambassador to Israel and onetime bankruptcy lawyer for President Trump.
www.wsj.com/tech/israeli... via @WSJ
NSO Group has a new executive chairman, David Friedman, who's a former U.S. ambassador to Israel and onetime bankruptcy lawyer for President Trump.
www.wsj.com/tech/israeli... via @WSJ