Security News > 2021 > December > Facebook disrupts operations of seven surveillance-for-hire firms
Facebook has disrupted the operations of seven different spyware-making companies, blocking their Internet infrastructure, sending cease and desist letters, and banning them from its platform.
"As a result of our months-long investigation, we took action against seven different surveillance-for-hire entities to disrupt their ability to use their digital infrastructure to abuse social media platforms and enable surveillance of people across the internet," said Director of Threat Disruption David Agranovich and Head of Cyber Espionage Investigations Mike Dvilyanski.
"These surveillance providers are based in China, Israel, India, and North Macedonia. They targeted people in over 100 countries around the world on behalf of their clients."
Following this investigation, Facebook found that these seven companies' services were used against and harmed vulnerable individuals such as activists, journalists, and minorities.
The surveillance companies claimed their spyware and hacking tools were only used to target and help catch criminals and terrorists.
Facebook alerted people targeted with their surveillance tools and shared its findings with other platforms, security researchers, and policymakers to take appropriate measures.