Job alert! 🚨 We are looking for an information technology professional to join our team in the role of Systems and Security Administrator. This is a full-time role based at the University of Toronto - Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy. Details below 👇 The role: As the primary network administrator for the Lab, you will manage and oversee the use of all information technology in the Citizen Lab, such as designing UNIX and Linux network infrastructure; developing network security policies; and overseeing the administration and security of on-site and off-site servers, websites and web servers. Essential qualifications: 🎓 Bachelor’s Degree in computer science or engineering, or an acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience 4️⃣ Minimum of 4 years experience in administration and troubleshooting of network and system security.  🗺️ Experience planning project components such as Cisco ASM, iptables, pfilter, or similar, and with managing DNS nameservers, specifically BIND 🚩 Demonstrated experience in incident response and mitigation. Advanced experience and understanding with UNIX and Linux systems (e.g., Debian, Ubuntu, OpenBSD). 🖥️ Demonstrated experience related to scripting languages (e.g., Perl, Shell scripting, Python, or Ruby). Interested or know someone who would be a great fit? Learn more and apply by April 18 ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gdcMWV7M

The Citizen Lab's senior fellow Cynthia Khoo will be speaking at the Toronto Human Rights and Accommodation Conference (TorontoHRA 2025) this May. Don't miss her keynote address on "The Pursuit of Algorithmic Justice in Labour and Human Rights".

NEW ARTICLE: Cynthia Khoo and Kate Robertson warn of the constitutional dangers posed by a potential Canada-U.S. CLOUD Act agreement, which if signed, would extend the reach of U.S. law enforcement into Canada’s digital terrain to an unprecedented extent. A Canada-US CLOUD Act agreement would effectively allow U.S. police to demand personal data directly from any provider of an “electronic communication service” or “remote computing service” in Canada, so long as it had some ties to the U.S. (such as serving U.S. users). No judicial oversight whatsoever would be involved north of the border. Read it here: https://lnkd.in/gHtDk_6i

Our latest report reveals network security vulnerabilities in RedNote (aka XiaohongShu), a popular Chinese social media app with upwards of 300 million users worldwide. We analyzed the network security of both the Android and iOS versions of the app and found that RedNote transmits user images, videos, and device metadata without any encryption, exposing user data to network eavesdroppers. 🚩 High-risk users should avoid using the app until these vulnerabilities are addressed. We disclosed these security issues to RedNote , and the related software development kit vendors NEXTDATA, and Mobtech, but as of yet, have not received a response from any party. Read the report: https://lnkd.in/gug6keQe

Come work with us! We are looking for an IT security expert to join our team in the role of Systems & Security Technical Lead. This is a unique opportunity to shape the strategic and tactical approach to risk management, systems security, and compliance at The Citizen Lab. Apply by February 20 ↘️

📢 We are hiring! Are you a security expert with a passion for protecting IT systems, servers, data, and information? We’re looking for a Systems and Security Technical Lead to join the Citizen Lab and take the lead in shaping the strategic and tactical approach to risk management, systems security, and compliance. Learn more and apply by Feb 20: https://lnkd.in/gq55Sggk

🚨 Call for applications: Open Technology Fund’s 2025 Information Controls Fellowship Program (ICFP) The Open Technology Fund (OTF) and The Citizen Lab, as one of the host organizations, invite applications to the 2025 Information Controls Fellowship Program (ICFP). The ICFP supports researchers examining how governments in countries, regions, or areas of Open Technology Fund’s (OTF) core focus are restricting the free flow of information, cutting access to the open Internet, and implementing censorship mechanisms, threatening global citizens’ ability to exercise basic human rights and democracy; work focused on mitigating such threats is also encouraged. Fellowship Details: - Three, six, nine or twelve month fellowships available - Fellows work full-time with a supportive host organization of their choosing - Usually offered to postdoctoral, doctoral students, and experienced researchers with demonstrated ability and expertise - Monthly stipend of $7,000 USD - Travel stipend of $1,250 to $5,000 USD, depending on the fellowship length - Equipment stipend of $1,250 to $5,000 USD, depending on the fellowship length How to Apply: Stage 1: Submit a concept note via OTF’s online application system Stage 2: If selected, submit a full proposal with a host organization. 📅 Deadline: February 28, 2025. 📝 Learn more and apply here: https://lnkd.in/e9jNkA4B #FellowshipOpportunity #Censorship #Surveillance

In a powerful conversation with CBC The National's host Adrienne Arsenault, the Citizen Lab’s Ron Deibert and Noura Aljizawi discuss the extension of foreign governments’ threats and intimidation against exiled women activists and dissidents living in Canada. The story draws on the latest research from the Citizen Lab, “No Escape: The Weaponization of Gender for the Purposes of Digital Transnational Repression,” which examines how gender-specific digital tactics are being used to silence and disable the voices of women human rights defenders across the globe. https://bit.ly/3VMORFD

NEW REPORT- No Escape: The Weaponization of Gender for the Purposes of Digital Transnational Repression. We investigate the rising trend of gender-based digital transnational repression by drawing on the lived experiences of 85 women human rights defenders living in exile across the globe. Our study found that activists in exile are digitally targeted using tools and techniques including social media surveillance, hacking of devices and social accounts, online harassment, disinformation, and more tactics aimed at discrediting them. The respondents identify government-backed threats and online harassment targeting women leading international advocacy and a troubling protection gap for exiled women facing gender-based digital repression. Read the full report: https://lnkd.in/gNnCasAS

Victims of spyware face numerous hurdles in seeking justice against spyware makers such as the NSO Group. Speaking with CyberScoop, The Citizen Lab’s John Scott-Railton says, “A lot of victims have struggled to get their cases to move forward, and keep moving. Some of that traces back to forms of immunity that spyware companies and their government customers seek to shield themselves with.” Read the article: https://lnkd.in/e6wwhtrB The Citizen Lab, as well as our partners, peers and collaborators have been instrumental in monitoring NSO Group’s operations. As the litigation against NSO Group continues, the outcome could very well shape the future of the mercenary spyware industry. For detailed logs of spyware-related legal cases, formal complaints, and research, click here 👉🏽 https://lnkd.in/gP3ftMpA