Government spyware, often marketed as a tool for tracking serious criminals and terrorists, is actually being misused to target a wide range of individuals, including journalists, activists, and political opponents. Evidence shows that spyware abuse is rampant, transcending the limited scope that developers claim. Recent cases, like that of a political consultant in Italy targeted by Paragon spyware, illustrate this troubling trend. Eva Galperin from the Electronic Frontier Foundation emphasizes that targeting isn't reserved for high-profile threats; the ease of deploying such technology leads to broader surveillance. Spyware systems operate on a model where governments pay a one-time fee based on the number of targets they can monitor simultaneously. This pricing structure often results in repressive regimes acquiring the ability to surveil many individuals at once, far exceeding the original intent of targeting just criminals. Countries known for human rights violations, such as Morocco and Saudi Arabia, have been documented using spyware against journalists and activists. The technology itself simplifies the targeting process, allowing officials to input a phone number and gain access to sensitive data with little oversight. The lack of accountability in the spyware market has further enabled these abuses. While some companies like Paragon are distancing themselves from governments accused of misuse, the overall trend remains concerning. Investigations into spyware abuses are underway in countries like Greece and Poland, and the U.S. has imposed sanctions on companies like NSO Group. Despite these efforts, the spyware industry continues to thrive, with a growing appetite from governments worldwide to surveil their own citizens and dissenters.