Government-sponsored intelligence programs are not a new concept. Most countries have their own intelligence units, and sometimes they are aided by the use of commercial intelligence software developed by private companies.
Recently, the President of the United States, Joe Biden, has signed an Executive Order that says that the United States government is no longer allowed to use commercial intelligence software that is seen to be harmful to the country's security.
Interestingly, this is not another restriction on Chinese companies, but on intelligence software development companies that are seen to be indifferent about countries or groups that use these same services.
Joe Biden also said that they are also prohibited from using intelligence software services that have been found to have sold data assets and secrets of the country to other countries or groups.
Interestingly, this executive order does not reveal the names of the intelligence software developers involved, and no answers were given when asked, but it is seen that companies such as NSO Group and Cytrox will be affected by this announcement, especially because these softwares are developed outside the country and is seen as having a risk of threatening the security of secret data.