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Citizen Lab: governments abusing online ads for zero-click spyware

Researchers found dozens of devices at Al Jazeera infected after malicious ads loaded, showing that spyware no longer needs a tap, only a webpage.

On air: Dr. Nina Byte and Kenji Moonfield on BBN This Morning
Published 7:40 AM ET, Thursday, October 15, 2026

At a glance

First reported by TechCrunch: “Citizen Lab says governments are abusing online ads to hack people with ‘zero-click’ spyware”.
Covered on BBN on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 7:40 AM ET on BBN This Morning, by Dr. Nina Byte and Kenji Moonfield.

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

TechCrunchCitizen Lab says governments are abusing online ads to hack people with ‘zero-click’ spyware

Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentCitizen Lab says governments are using online ads to deliver zero-click spyware, and it found dozens of devices at Al Jazeera hacked after being shown malicious ads.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentZero-click? You don't even have to tap anything?
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentRight. Normally you have to open a bad link.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentHere, an ad loads on a page, and that alone can be enough to take over the phone.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentSo the ad I scroll past while eating toast could be the one.