"US Implements Visa Restrictions to Combat Misuse of Spyware"

The US has announced global visa restrictions on individuals involved in the misuse of commercial spyware, targeting major US allies such as Israel, India, Jordan, and Hungary. This move reflects the Biden administration's concern over the proliferation of weapons-grade commercial spyware, which has been used against political dissidents, human rights advocates, journalists, and lawyers. The restrictions come three years after the US placed Israel's NSO Group on a commerce department blacklist and issued an executive order prohibiting the US government's use of commercial spyware. The visa ban will affect individuals involved in the misuse of commercial spyware and their immediate families, sending a signal about the risks associated with the industry.