For more than a decade, journalists and human rights activists globally have been targeted by government-sponsored hacking, prompting the rise of digital security experts dedicated to protecting these vulnerable communities. These experts, numbering around a dozen and located in Costa Rica, Manila, and Tunisia, among other locations, operate under the Digital Security Helpline of Access Now, a New York-based nonprofit.

Their primary objective is to provide 24/7 assistance to journalists, human rights defenders, and dissidents who suspect they have been compromised by spyware, particularly that produced by companies such as NSO Group, Intellexa, and Paragon. Hassen Selmi, who leads the incident response team at Access Now, stated that the service aims to provide immediate support to civil society and journalists facing cybersecurity incidents.

The use of sophisticated spyware by governments in countries including Ethiopia, Greece, Hungary, India, Mexico, Poland, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates has led to the compromise of victims' phones. In some instances, these individuals have also experienced intimidation, harassment, and violence.

The Digital Security Helpline offers a range of services, including incident response, digital forensics, and security training. They work to identify the source of the attack, mitigate the damage, and help victims secure their devices and accounts. The team also advocates for policy changes to regulate the use of spyware and hold governments accountable for its misuse.

The rise of mercenary spyware has raised concerns among policymakers and human rights organizations. Critics argue that the lack of regulation and oversight allows governments to abuse these tools to suppress dissent and violate privacy rights. Proponents of spyware argue that it is a necessary tool for law enforcement and national security, enabling them to track criminals and terrorists.

The work of the Digital Security Helpline is ongoing, as the threat of government spyware continues to evolve. The team remains committed to providing support to those targeted and advocating for greater protections for journalists and human rights defenders.