Russia Carves Out Commercial Surveillance Success Globally

Recorded Future and Atlantic Council reporting indicates that multiple governments in Central Asia and Latin America have likely acquired Russian SORM wiretapping systems (supplied by firms such as Citadel, Norsi-Trans, and Protei), enabling interception of phone identifiers, geolocation, emails, IP addresses and other subscriber data; the report highlights proliferation risks, potential Russian access to intercepted communications, harms to journalists, activists and visitors, and recommends increased use of encryption and caution because VPNs and local providers may be compelled to assist surveillance.