The Citizen Lab is an interdisciplinary laboratory based at the Munk School of Global Affairs, University of Toronto, focusing on research, development, and high-level strategic policy and legal engagement at the intersection of information and communication technologies, human rights, and global security.

We use a “mixed methods” approach to research combining methods from political science, law, computer science, and area studies. Our research includes: investigating digital espionage against civil society, documenting Internet filtering and other technologies and practices that impact freedom of expression online, analyzing privacy, security, and information controls of popular applications, and examining transparency and accountability mechanisms relevant to the relationship between corporations and state agencies regarding personal data and other surveillance activities.

Support the Citizen Lab

Financial support for the Citizen Lab’s research has come from the The Canada Centre for Global Security Studies, Donner Canadian Foundation, Ford Foundation, Hewlett Foundation, HIVOS, International Development Research Centre (IDRC), John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Oak Foundation, Open Society Foundation, Psiphon Inc., The Sigrid Rausing Trust, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada,  Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation.

The Citizen Lab is grateful for in-kind donations of investigative tools from companies including: RiskIQ/PassiveTotal, HYAS, VirusTotal, Cisco’s AMP Threat Grid Team, and others.

Make a donation to the Citizen Lab. Your support plays an essential role in sustaining the quality, independence and impact of our work.

Inquiries?

For general inquiries to the Citizen Lab email: inquiries at citizenlab.ca

For media inquiries see our media resources