GoKawiilBloomberg Investigation Finds Penlink's Webloc Ad-Surveillance Tool Used by Agencies in 10+ Countries
A Bloomberg investigation has expanded on earlier Citizen Lab research into Penlink's ad-based surveillance system Webloc, identifying government customers in the UK, Netherlands, Germany, Mexico, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Israel. This builds on an earlier report that had already found customers in the US, El Salvador, Hungary, and Austria. Researcher Wolfie Christl describes Webloc as a mass surveillance tool spreading from military and intelligence agencies down to local police forces.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The expanding customer list suggests ad-based tracking tools are becoming normalized across both democratic and authoritarian states, raising questions about oversight as such capabilities move from national security contexts to routine policing. Legal experts cited note the lawfulness of these tools in Europe and the UK remains contested, which could trigger future regulatory or judicial challenges. Use by authoritarian governments identified in the reporting raises heightened concerns about targeting of dissidents or vulnerable populations.
- Bloomberg identified new Webloc customers in the UK, Netherlands, Germany, Mexico, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Israel.
- Earlier research had already confirmed US, El Salvador, Hungary, and Austria as customers of the surveillance tool.
- Researcher Wolfie Christl says the technology is spreading from military/intelligence use down to local police agencies.
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Published there as: “Security Agencies Worldwide Found to Use Ad-Based Surveillance System”
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