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<p>The UK’s National Cyber Strategy commits the UK to countering the proliferation
of high-end cyber capabilities and reducing the opportunity for states and organised
crime groups to access them via commercial and criminal marketplaces, as well as tackling
forums that enable, facilitate, or glamorise cyber criminality.</p><p>With respect
to spyware specifically, it is vital that all cyber capabilities are used in ways
that are legal, responsible, and proportionate to ensure cyberspace remains a safe
and prosperous place for everyone. In March 2023, the United Kingdom signed the Joint
Statement on Efforts to Counter the Proliferation and Misuse of Commercial Spyware
alongside 10 other like-minded countries, including the United States. As part of
this, the UK and other signatories recognised the threat posed by the misuse of commercial
spyware, such as Pegasus, and the need to strictly control its proliferation at both
a domestic and international level.</p><p>The Investigatory Powers Act 2016 provides
a legal framework for the use of investigatory powers by UK law enforcement and the
intelligence community where it is necessary and proportionate to do so. The Act also
contains strong safeguards, including a ‘double lock’, which requires warrants for
the most intrusive powers to be authorised by a Secretary of State (or Chief Constable
in case of Law Enforcement) and approved by a Judicial Commissioner, as well as rigorous
independent oversight of their use by the Investigatory Powers Commissioner.</p>
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