On Monday, the Biden administration announced that six new countries had joined an international coalition to combat the proliferation of commercial spyware, including companies like NSO Group and Intellexa.
Recently, some investors expressed their commitment to fighting against spyware as well. However, contradictory information has emerged regarding Paladin Capital Group, as leaked documents from 2021 suggest they had previously invested in a company involved in malware development, although Paladin claims to have divested from the company since then.
In response to the global threat of spyware, the U.S. government has taken a series of measures including placing surveillance tech firms like NSO Group, Candiru, and Intellexa on blocklists, implementing export controls, and imposing visa restrictions on industry personnel. Economic sanctions have targeted companies and key executives, signaling a growing crackdown on the spyware industry.
During a meeting with journalists, a senior Biden administration official revealed that Paladin representatives participated in key discussions on spyware. A collaborative effort led by Paladin and other venture firms resulted in the publication of investment principles aimed at promoting the interests of free and open societies through strategic investments.
Despite the anti-spyware stance, Paladin’s past investment in Boldend, a cybersecurity startup known for developing offensive tools like Origen, raises concerns. Boldend’s capabilities included creating and deploying malware across various operating systems, indicative of its involvement in potentially malicious activities.
Steed from Paladin emphasized the importance of investing in technologies that align with national security interests, reflecting a shift towards responsible investment practices. Regarding Boldend, Steed disclosed that Paladin had ended its association with the company due to unmet expectations.
Despite these developments, questions remain about the ethical implications of investments in companies like Boldend and the selective application of investment principles. The blurred lines between offensive cyber capabilities and legitimate investments underscore the complexity of navigating the cybersecurity landscape.
Contact Us
Do you have information on Boldend or spyware providers? Contact Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai securely on Signal at +1 917 257 1382 or via Telegram, Keybase, and Wire @lorenzofb, or email. You can also reach out to TechCrunch via SecureDrop.
Further scrutiny is warranted to ensure that investments align with ethical standards and do not inadvertently support malicious activities. The evolving landscape of cybersecurity necessitates a delicate balance between innovation and responsible investment practices.
