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.

Deibert founded the Citizen Lab in 2001 at the University of Toronto. The organization operates as a counterintelligence service for civil society, investigating cyberthreats in the public interest. Deibert stated he assumes he is being watched constantly, highlighting the severity of the surveillance risks he faces.

The Citizen Lab has spent two decades exposing digital abuses. Their work involves technical analysis of malware, network interference, and online disinformation campaigns. The lab's research has uncovered instances of governments and private entities using sophisticated tools to monitor and target activists, journalists, and political dissidents.

The organization's work has led Deibert and his colleagues to reassess their perception of the United States as a standard for liberal democracy. This shift reflects growing concerns about government surveillance powers and the potential for abuse.

The Citizen Lab continues its research, focusing on identifying and mitigating cyberthreats to civil society organizations globally. Their findings are regularly published in reports and academic papers, contributing to public awareness and informing policy debates on digital security and human rights.