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 reflect a growing concern over digital security, particularly for individuals and organizations involved in investigating cyberthreats.

Deibert founded the Citizen Lab in 2001, a research center at the University of Toronto that operates as counterintelligence for civil society. The organization investigates cyberthreats in the public interest, 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.

Citizen Lab has traditionally viewed the United States as a benchmark for liberal democracy, but that perspective is evolving, according to Deibert. The organization's work involves identifying and analyzing sophisticated surveillance technologies, often uncovering their use against activists, journalists, and other members of civil society. These investigations often involve reverse engineering malware, analyzing network traffic, and scrutinizing software code to identify vulnerabilities and trace the origins of cyberattacks.

The Citizen Lab's findings have significant implications for the tech industry, prompting companies to address security flaws and governments to reconsider their surveillance practices. The organization's research also informs policy debates surrounding digital rights and cybersecurity. As digital threats become more pervasive, the work of institutions like the Citizen Lab becomes increasingly critical in safeguarding civil society and promoting accountability in the digital realm.