The University of Toronto-based research group recommended the federal government consider sanctions against governments that engage in such digital transnational repression; subject exports of surveillance technology to human rights assessments and other controls; set up a new agency to support those targeted; and require online platforms to disclose how they handle take-down and user-information requests that single out such people. (The Logic)

Talking point: States and associated entities are hacking, phishing, trolling, threatening and spreading disinformation about activists and dissidents, including those now living in states. Victims said that as a result, they self-censored online and circumscribed social interactions. They cited a lacklustre response from Canadian police and spy services. Ottawa has signalled a growing focus on cybersecurity and policy measures designed to address what it considers threats to the country’s national and economic interests. But Citizen Lab said the government should also be concerned about how foreign states are reaching across physical borders to intimidate people within our borders.