Ronald Deibert, director of the Citizen Lab, took extensive precautions in April 2025 to protect himself from surveillance, purchasing new devices upon arrival in Illinois after leaving his personal electronics in Toronto. Deibert's actions underscore the increasing threat of digital espionage, particularly for individuals and organizations involved in cybersecurity research and advocacy.

Deibert founded the Citizen Lab in 2001, a research center at the University of Toronto that investigates cyberthreats in the public interest. The organization acts as counterintelligence for civil society, exposing digital abuses over the past two decades. "I’m traveling under the assumption that I am being watched, right down to exactly where I am at any moment," Deibert stated, highlighting the constant vigilance required in his line of work.

The Citizen Lab has gained recognition for its work in uncovering sophisticated surveillance operations targeting journalists, human rights activists, and political dissidents. Their investigations often involve reverse engineering malware, analyzing network traffic, and tracing the infrastructure used in cyberattacks. The lab's findings have contributed to a greater understanding of the tools and tactics employed by state-sponsored actors and commercial spyware vendors.

While the United States was once considered a benchmark for liberal democracy by Deibert and his colleagues, this perception is evolving. The changing landscape reflects growing concerns about government surveillance and the potential for abuse of digital technologies. The Citizen Lab's work remains crucial in holding those responsible for digital abuses accountable and advocating for stronger protections for civil society.