The US Department of Commerce announced new laws to prevent the sale of hacking tools to China and Russia, the US newspaper "Washington Post" reported, Friday.
The Commerce Department outlined the change in a press release, which would require US companies to obtain a license to sell spyware and other hacking software to countries "concerned with national security or weapons of mass destruction."
"If a US company wants to export spyware to a government that raises national security concerns, the company will need a license," according to the statement.
But if the software is specifically for cyber defense and is not sold to anyone associated with governments, "no license would be required."
“The United States is committed to working with our multilateral partners to deter the spread of certain technologies that could be used for malicious activities that threaten cybersecurity and human rights,” says US Commerce Secretary Gina Raymond.
The newspaper indicated that the law is scheduled to enter into force in late January, and targets tools and programs such as "Pegasus".
Made by the Israel-based NSO Group, this software has been used by governments to spy on the smartphones of journalists and human rights activists.
According to experts, the program can steal data from mobile phones and even turn on the device's microphone, all without anyone noticing.
Although the US is a member of Wassenaar, a voluntary export control regime that sets rules for the export of dual-use technologies, it is one of the last 42 participating countries to place restrictions on the sale of hacking tools.
Security officials who spoke to the newspaper say the US took a long time to create this law because of its complexity, if done correctly, such a limitation could prevent cybersecurity professionals from cooperating with experts from other countries.
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