In April, Ronald Deibert made the conscious decision to leave all his electronic devices behind in Toronto before boarding a flight to Illinois. Upon arrival, he headed straight to an Apple Store to purchase a new laptop and iPhone, understanding that his work made him particularly vulnerable to surveillance.
Deibert is the director of Citizen Lab, a research center he established to serve as a counterintelligence resource for civil society. Based at the University of Toronto, Citizen Lab operates independently from government or corporate influences, relying solely on research grants and private donations. The lab is notable for its commitment to investigating cyber threats in the public interest, exposing significant digital abuses over the past two decades. Deibert reflects on the changing landscape of democracy in the U.S., noting, “The pillars of democracy are under assault… It is now at risk.”
His journey into this critical field began in East Vancouver, British Columbia, where he grew up in a working-class family. Despite a lack of exposure to higher education, Deibert pursued a graduate degree in international relations, focusing on the geopolitical consequences of the internet. His pivotal moment came with the release of the report Tracking GhostNet, which unveiled a digital espionage network in China that infiltrated foreign embassies and diplomatic offices in over 100 countries. This groundbreaking work catapulted Citizen Lab into the global spotlight. Today, the lab continues to publish influential analyses, aiding human rights advocates and shaping international discussions on digital repression. Despite the risks involved, including threats to his team’s safety, Deibert’s commitment to his mission remains unwavering, as he continues to attract passionate individuals dedicated to uncovering the truth in the digital age.
Source: Meet the man hunting the spies in your smartphone via MIT Technology Review