A proliferation of digital spying tools in recent years has helped generate a surge in sophisticated espionage operations, once mostly the purview of major powers like the United States and Russia. Now, small countries, corporations and even simply wealthy people looking to settle scores can all hire private firms to conduct intelligence operations. A New York Times investigation detailed this new era of digital warfare and the multibillion-dollar industry behind it. [Hackers for hire: How former American and Israeli government operatives conduct espionage on behalf of authoritarian governments]Fighting CrimeGovernments rely on surveillance as part of legitimate law enforcement investigations. DarkMatter helps with internal security in the United Arab Emirates, former employees said, thwarting terrorism and helping the police solve crimes.

Source: New York Times March 21, 2019 19:18 UTC