The greatest wars of the future may not be fought on the battlefield, but in cyberspace. Modern espionage technology will play a key role in this. They’re more sophisticated than ever, and readily available to anyone who can afford it. This provides fertile ground for a new generation of terrorists who aspire to the power to destroy everyone’s privacy, steal government secrets, and paralyze entire nations with a few clicks of the mouse. Al Jazeera Investigative explores the inner workings of this sinister underworld in their documentary ‘Spy Dealers’.
Vendors who trade in these complex surveillance technologies do not treat everyone equally when looking for buyers. Potential clients could be hostile governments, bloodthirsty arms dealers, or organizations with a history of vicious human rights abuses. Many of these spyware companies are very good at circumventing any regulations and sanctions that stand in their way.
The filmmakers tapped the expertise of an anonymous insider to understand how easy such deals can be made and what the technologies can be used for. The mole approached two Italian security companies with false offers. First, he was interested in purchasing a state-of-the-art mobile spyware system for use in Sudan. In the second case, he advocated supplying Iran with a powerful internet tracking device. These technologies can destroy the lives of millions and destabilize any region on a catastrophic scale. Both Iran and Sudan are highly flammable and heavily sanctioned targets. Will the seller be willing to ignore the dubious motives of the buyer and do whatever it takes to close the deal?
With hidden cameras, filmmakers can track every step of this machination. We have witnessed every loophole that allows these companies to get away with it. We analyzed their methods of attracting potential clients and their avoidance of any ethical considerations in the process. Most disturbingly, we discovered that senior government officials may have been involved in many of their improper actions.
Spymerch is the culmination of a four-month investigation that takes us thrillingly deep into a criminal enterprise.
