© 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 • 7:26
PBS News Hour
Cuba’s economic crisis worsens as Trump threatens action
Cuba’s economic and energy crisis worsens as Trump threatens action
Clip: S2026 E59 | 7:26
Watch • 7:56
PBS News Hour
Americans divided on history as 250th anniversary nears
Americans divided on nation's history as 250th anniversary nears
Clip: S2026 E59 | 7:56
Watch • 7:18
PBS News Hour
Investigation uncovers Cesar Chavez sexual abuse allegations
Investigation uncovers sexual abuse allegations against Cesar Chavez
Clip: S2026 E59 | 7:18
Watch • 57:46
PBS News Hour
March 18, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
March 18, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
Episode: S2026 E59 | 57:46
Watch • 7:19
PBS News Hour
Trump has 'no plan' on how to end Iran war, Sen. Murphy says
Trump has 'no plan' on how to end Iran war, Sen. Murphy says
Clip: S2026 E59 | 7:19
Watch • 5:54
PBS News Hour
News Wrap: U.S. eases sanctions on Venezuelan oil
News Wrap: U.S. eases sanctions on Venezuela's state-owned oil company
Clip: S2026 E59 | 5:54
Watch • 5:01
PBS News Hour
Lawmakers press U.S. intelligence officials on Iran war
Lawmakers press U.S. intelligence officials on Iran war as new strikes jolt oil markets
Clip: S2026 E59 | 5:01
Watch • 4:34
PBS News Hour
Mullin grilled on past remarks in tense confirmation hearing
Mullin grilled on past remarks in tense DHS confirmation hearing
Clip: S2026 E59 | 4:34
Watch • 6:05
PBS News Hour
Migrants in Lebanon displaced as Mideast conflict escalates
Migrants in Lebanon displaced again as Mideast conflict escalates
Clip: S2026 E59 | 6:05
Watch • 57:46
PBS News Hour
March 17, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
March 17, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
Episode: S2026 E58 | 57:46