Ronald Deibert, the director of the Citizen Lab, a research center at the University of Toronto, has taken extreme measures to protect himself from surveillance. In April 2025, he left all electronic devices at home in Toronto and boarded a plane to Illinois, where he purchased a new laptop and iPhone at the Apple Store, opting to minimize the risk of having his personal devices confiscated due to his high-profile work as a counterintelligence expert for civil society.

Deibert's actions are a testament to the growing concern about digital surveillance and the increasing vulnerability of individuals to cyber threats. As the director of the Citizen Lab, which has been investigating cyber threats exclusively in the public interest since its founding in 2001, Deibert has witnessed firsthand the erosion of digital privacy and the exploitation of personal data. The lab's research has exposed some of the most egregious digital abuses of the past two decades, including the use of spyware and other malicious software to compromise individuals and organizations.

The Citizen Lab operates independently of governments or corporate interests, relying on research grants and private philanthropy for financial support. Deibert's decision to travel with minimal electronic devices is a reflection of the lab's commitment to protecting its researchers and the individuals they investigate from potential surveillance. "I'm traveling under the assumption that I am being watched, right down to exactly where I am at any moment," Deibert said in an interview.

The lab's work has long been focused on the United States, which has traditionally been seen as a standard for liberal democracy. However, Deibert notes that the pillars of democracy are under assault in the country, with the increasing use of surveillance technologies and the erosion of digital privacy. "The US has been a beacon of hope for digital freedom, but that's changing," Deibert said.

The rise of surveillance capitalism and the proliferation of spyware have created a new landscape of digital threats. Deibert's work at the Citizen Lab has highlighted the need for greater transparency and accountability in the tech industry, particularly with regards to the use of personal data. "We need to rethink the way we design and use technology, with a focus on protecting individual rights and freedoms," Deibert said.

The Citizen Lab's research has implications for the tech industry, which has faced criticism for its role in enabling surveillance and compromising digital privacy. Apple, for example, has faced scrutiny over its handling of user data and its use of encryption. Deibert's decision to purchase a new iPhone and laptop at the Apple Store highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in the tech industry.

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the work of the Citizen Lab and other organizations like it will be crucial in exposing and mitigating the risks of surveillance and cyber threats. Deibert's actions serve as a reminder of the importance of protecting individual rights and freedoms in the digital age.