Spy Merchants (2017)

The documentary “Spy Merchants”, directed by Al Jazeera’s Investigative Unit and released in 2017, delves into the dark and murky world of mass surveillance. It uncovers the shocking reality of how privacy is being compromised globally through powerful and illegal surveillance tools sold to the highest bidder.

In this gripping exposé, viewers are taken deep inside a criminal enterprise where highly-invasive spyware, capable of capturing the electronic communications of entire towns, can be purchased in a ‘grey market’—a realm where regulations are either ignored or bypassed¹. The film sheds light on the clandestine dealings of spyware vendors, revealing their unscrupulous practices and the far-reaching implications for civil liberties.

“Spy Merchants” reveals that top-ranking government officials may be complicit in these crooked operations, further eroding trust in institutions meant to protect citizens. The culmination of a four-month investigation, the documentary unfolds in a pulse-pounding fashion, leaving viewers with a sobering understanding of the high-stakes game played in the shadows of our interconnected world.

In an era where digital surveillance is pervasive, this eye-opening film serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between security and privacy, and the urgent need for transparency and accountability in the surveillance industry.