More than half of the world’s governments now have access to commercial spyware that can break into computers and phones, potentially compromising sensitive information. U.K. intelligence has revealed that 100 countries currently possess this type of surveillance technology, up from 80 in 2023.

The rise in accessibility means both foreign governments and cybercriminals have more potential targets than ever. Commercial spyware, developed by private companies like NSO Group’s Pegasus and Paragon’s Graphite, often exploits security flaws to infiltrate devices. While governments claim they use such tools against criminal suspects, experts warn of misuse for political espionage.

Richard Horne, from the U.K. National Cyber Security Centre, highlighted that British businesses are under threat not just from cybercriminals but also foreign adversarial governments. The U.K., along with other nations, faces persistent attempts by China-linked entities to steal sensitive data and spy on high-profile individuals.

The leak of a hacking toolkit called DarkSword earlier this year further highlights the risk, showing that even tightly guarded government tools can fall into malicious hands. This could expose millions of people to unauthorized access and exploitation.