On March 23, Citizen Lab director Ron Deibert will appear before the House of Commons’ Subcommittee on International Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (SDIR) to testify on transnational repression.
Digital transnational repression refers to the use of digital technology to surveil, harass, and intimidate victims across borders. Victims of digital transnational repression face the risk of physical harm and long-lasting psychological impacts. Deibert notes that resulting paranoia, isolation, and self-censorship leads to “major chilling effects” on civil society. While governments have made efforts to address transnational repression, the practice will likely expand in the coming years without host countries taking further steps.
Deibert argues that the descent into authoritarianism in the U.S., the rapid spread of AI, and Prime Minister Carney’s adoption of a realist foreign policy for Canada all signal that transnational repression, and digital transnational repression in particular, are only going to get worse.
He recommends that the Canadian government engage deeply with diaspora members and communities most closely affected by (digital) transnational repression to tailor their responses. He points out that the Canadian government has pledged to better regulate the mercenary spyware industry, yet it has done very little to carry through on that pledge. Finally, he recommends reviewing the Canada-US Safe Third Country Agreement, which designates the U.S. as a safe third country and prevents individuals entering Canada from the US from making refugee claim.