ABA Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice 25d ago

Join Carrie DeCell and Maria Villegas Bravo for a timely conversation on the growing use of commercial spyware and its implications for privacy, free expression, and civil liberties. As U.S. government agencies increasingly explore these powerful surveillance tools, the discussion examines how spyware operates, who is most often targeted, and the risks it poses to journalists, activists, lawyers, and ordinary citizens. The conversation explores the constitutional and legal frameworks governing spyware, including the Fourth Amendment, the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, and the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. Panelists also discuss national security concerns, ongoing litigation, government oversight, and the debate over whether commercial spyware can ever be used in a manner consistent with democratic values and individual rights. Maria Villegas Bravo – Counsel, Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) Carrie DeCell (Moderator) – Vice Chair, ABA CRSJ National Security and Civil Liberties; Senior Staff Attorney & Legislative Advisor, Knight First Amendment Institute; Lecturer in Law, Columbia Law School -- During the 2025–26 Bar Year, Section Chair Mario A. Sullivan continues CRSJ’s Chair Chat – bringing together leading lawyers, scholars, advocates, and organizers to tackle the most urgent civil rights and rule-of-law issues and share practical strategies for impact. New episodes premiere every other Thursday at 2:00 p.m. ET on our YouTube channel. Subscribe for updates and catch past conversations on-demand. Learn more about CRSJ Chair Chat: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/crsj/resources/on-demand/chair-chat/