Event | Digital Defense Initiative | Asymmetries and Power

Spyware and Counter-Surveillance in Brazil

On May 16 and 17, 2025, Cryptorave took place—the world’s largest event on cryptography and human rights. Bringing together experts in infrastructure, development, public policy, and digital security, the 24-hour program featured activities at the Mário de Andrade Library.

Data Privacy Brasil participated with the panel “Spyware in Brazil: Resistance and Counter-Surveillance.” There, we presented projects developed under Malhas Digitais, a seed-funding program for solutions that empower civil society to defend against spyware. The projects included:

“Enhancing Support Chains in Feminist Helplines: Guidelines for Detecting Advanced Digital Threats” by MariaLab, a Brazilian feminist nonprofit working at the intersection of gender, technology, and politics.

“Forensic Analysis Tool for Spyware Detection on Mobile Devices, Adapted for the Brazilian Context” by Associação Todas as Letras, a nonprofit composed mostly of LGBTQIA+ tech professionals committed to promoting inclusion and technological empowerment for vulnerable groups.

“Control and Surveillance of Women’s Online Presence Through Spyware” by the Institute for Internet & Society (IRIS), an independent, interdisciplinary research center dedicated to producing and disseminating scientific knowledge on internet and society issues, while advocating for public policies that advance digital human rights.

We were also joined by Amarelu, Lux Teixeira, and Diego Cerqueira, who were part of the Malhas Digitais advisory board.

Before a packed audience, we addressed questions and provided guidance on the political, legal, and technical demands for combating spyware in Brazil, connecting these efforts to regional and global contexts.

Todas as Letras also held a hands-on workshop to inspect participants’ mobile devices, with support from Data Privacy Brasil in drafting data processing consent forms. The initiative received assistance from SocialTIC and Lux Teixeira.

Data Privacy Brasil reaffirms its commitment to defending fundamental rights against surveillance technologies, offering practical pathways to ensure civil society experts can continue their vital work.