© 2026 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
DONATE
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

PBS News Hour

How governments use spyware to monitor citizens’ phones

Season 2024 Episode 344 | 7m 16s

This past week, the White House detailed the scope of a massive Chinese hacking campaign that reaped information from American cell phone networks. But an HBO original documentary, “Surveilled,” says some governments use commercial spyware to monitor their own citizens. To learn more, John Yang speaks with Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist Ronan Farrow, who produced the documentary.

Major corporate funding for the PBS News Hour is provided by BDO, BNSF, Consumer Cellular, American Cruise Lines, and Raymond James. Funding for the PBS NewsHour Weekend is provided by Consumer Cellular and Cunard Cruise Line. For a complete list of funders for the PBS NewsHour and PBS NewsHour weekend, click here.
Extras
Watch • 9:47
PBS News Hour
Brooks and Capehart on tariff ruling and Trump's attacks
Brooks and Capehart on the tariff ruling and Trump's attacks on Supreme Court justices
Clip: S2026 E41 | 9:47
Watch • 6:30
PBS News Hour
Wyoming Gov. Gordon on tariffs, energy and the environment
Wyoming Gov. Gordon on tariffs, energy and environmental stewardship
Clip: S2026 E41 | 6:30
Watch • 3:31
PBS News Hour
Palestinians in Gaza observe Ramadan amid destruction
Palestinians in Gaza observe Ramadan despite enormous destruction and loss
Clip: S2026 E41 | 3:31
Watch • 7:02
PBS News Hour
News Wrap: Ex-prince's former home searched after arrest
News Wrap: Ex-prince's former home searched a day after his arrest
Clip: S2026 E41 | 7:02
Watch • 57:46
PBS News Hour
February 20, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
February 20, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
Episode: S2026 E41 | 57:46
Watch • 4:32
PBS News Hour
Business owner who challenged tariffs responds to ruling
Business owner who challenged Trump's tariffs reacts to Supreme Court decision
Clip: S2026 E41 | 4:32
Watch • 5:49
PBS News Hour
Why the Supreme Court ruled against Trump's tariffs
Why the Supreme Court ruled against Trump's tariffs
Clip: S2026 E41 | 5:49
Watch • 5:31
PBS News Hour
EPA rollbacks could raise health care costs, advocates warn
EPA rollbacks on pollution limits could drive up health care costs, advocates warn
Clip: S2026 E41 | 5:31
Watch • 5:17
PBS News Hour
What's next for consumers after Supreme Court tariff ruling
What's next for consumers and the economy after the Supreme Court's tariff ruling
Clip: S2026 E41 | 5:17
Watch • 4:04
PBS News Hour
Trump suggests limited strikes to push Iran to nuclear deal
Trump suggests limited strikes to push Iran to nuclear deal
Clip: S2026 E41 | 4:04