Farrow, a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist, takes viewers on a global journey, beginning in New York City and travelling to Tel Aviv, Israel – a hub of espionage and cybertechnology innovation. His investigation draws on his own experiences of being targeted by covert surveillance, giving a personal depth to his examination of how powerful spyware can be used for both security purposes and to undermine civil liberties. The film tackles the difficult questions about privacy, ethics, and the tensions between national security and individual freedom.
The documentary delves into the mechanics of commercial spyware, a technology designed to take over cell phones without the user’s knowledge. While spyware is often marketed as a tool for combating terrorism, SURVEILLED reveals its sinister presence in the phones of activists, journalists, politicians, and even regular citizens. Farrow sheds light on how spyware such as Pegasus, developed by the controversial NSO Group, is being used to infiltrate the lives of those who challenge authority, ultimately raising critical concerns about privacy in the digital age.
@HBO Original
Through rare access to NSO Group’s offices and in-depth interviews with its engineers and executives, Farrow provides an insider’s view of the spyware industry’s inner workings. He exposes the often ambiguous relationships between spyware developers and major tech companies, which are simultaneously fighting to protect their platforms from breaches. By unraveling the complex interplay between these actors, *SURVEILLED* illustrates how the business of surveillance is reshaping our understanding of privacy and the boundaries of acceptable government and corporate behaviour.
The journey also takes Farrow to Barcelona, Spain, where he investigates the largest documented mass-hack involving commercial spyware. Here, SURVEILLED offers a harrowing reflection on the real-world consequences for communities caught in the middle of 21st-century cyberwarfare. The human stories behind the headlines are brought to the forefront, providing a poignant reminder of the impact of technological warfare on individuals and communities alike.
@HBO Original
The documentary features interviews with key figures in the field, including experts from Citizen Lab, politicians, journalists, and activists. Among those featured are Elies Campo and Ron Deibert of Citizen Lab, U.S. Congressman Jim Himes, WhatsApp’s head Will Cathcart, and various executives from NSO Group, whose presence and testimonies offer viewers a chance to hear multiple perspectives on the contentious issues surrounding spyware and surveillance.
SURVEILLED is a timely and critical piece that raises pressing questions about privacy, power, and the surveillance capabilities that are changing our society. It is a must-watch for anyone concerned with the shifting boundaries of privacy in a digital world, and the ethical dilemmas that governments, companies, and citizens must navigate in the age of pervasive cyberespionage. As the documentary brings to light, the implications of unchecked surveillance are profound, and the decisions made today will shape the future of privacy and civil rights for generations to come.
The HBO Original documentary SURVEILLED, produced by Ronan Farrow, and produced and directed by Emmy Award winning filmmakers Matthew O’Neill and Perri Peltz (HBO’s “Axios,” “Alternate Endings: Six New Ways to Die in America”), debuts WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT) on HBO and will be available to stream on Max.
@HBO Original
