Cybersecurity expert Ron Deibert is sounding the alarm at a critical time, warning of a “descent into a kind of fusion of tech and fascism” that threatens democracy worldwide.
Deibert, director of Citizen Lab, will deliver a keynote speech at the Black Hat cybersecurity conference in Las Vegas, focusing on the role big tech platforms play in this threat. He believes the recent rise of authoritarianism in the US demands urgent action from the cybersecurity community.
Historically, the industry has kept politics separate, but Deibert argues that it’s now essential to address these issues. This is echoed by Jen Easterly, a former CISA director who was targeted by Trump’s administration and called on the community to speak out.
The problem lies in the lack of checks and balances, oversight, and proper threat intelligence teams to combat government spyware. Deibert fears that big companies may cut these teams or reduce their efforts to fight against such spyware. He emphasizes the need for pro bono work from security experts to offset this market failure and protect global civil society.
The cybersecurity industry has a responsibility to defend democracy, and Deibert believes it’s time for professionals in the field to step up and take action.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2025/08/06/citizen-lab-director-warns-cyber-industry-about-us-authoritarian-descent