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, who left his personal devices at home in Toronto, believes his work at the Citizen Lab makes him a target. "I'm traveling under the assumption that I am being watched, right down to exactly where I am at any moment," Deibert said.

The Citizen Lab, a research center founded by Deibert in 2001 and housed at the University of Toronto, operates as a counterintelligence service for civil society. The lab investigates cyberthreats exclusively in the public interest and has exposed numerous digital abuses over the past two decades. Its work involves identifying and analyzing sophisticated spyware and other tools used to target journalists, human rights activists, and other members of civil society.

For years, Deibert and his colleagues viewed the United States as a benchmark for liberal democracy, but that perspective is evolving, according to the Citizen Lab director. The organization's investigations have revealed instances of digital surveillance and abuse that challenge this perception.

The Citizen Lab's work has broad implications for the technology industry, as it highlights vulnerabilities in smartphones, laptops, and other devices. By exposing these vulnerabilities, the lab encourages manufacturers to improve security measures and protect users from surveillance. The lab's findings also inform policy debates about government surveillance powers and the need for greater transparency and accountability in the digital realm.