Ronald Deibert, director of the Citizen Lab, took extensive precautions in April 2025 when traveling to Illinois, purchasing new electronic devices upon arrival to mitigate the risk of surveillance. Deibert's actions underscore the increasing concerns about digital security and the growing need for counterintelligence measures in civil society.

Deibert founded the Citizen Lab in 2001 at the University of Toronto. The research center investigates cyberthreats in the public interest. Deibert stated, "I’m traveling under the assumption that I am being watched, right down to exactly where I am at any moment." This highlights the level of vigilance required by those working to expose digital abuses.

For two decades, the Citizen Lab has exposed digital abuses. The institution operates as a counterintelligence service for civil society. Their work has positioned them as a target for surveillance. The Citizen Lab has historically regarded the United States as a benchmark for liberal democracy. Deibert and his colleagues are reevaluating this view.

The Citizen Lab's work is crucial. It sheds light on the complex landscape of digital threats. Their investigations reveal the extent of surveillance. The center's findings inform public discourse on digital rights and security.