The Zero-Click Marketplace: An Analysis of the Commercial Spyware Ecosystem and its Geopolitical Implications

Abstract Background: The rise of "zero-click" exploits has created a lucrative market for commercial spyware, allowing state actors to compromise devices without user interaction. Methods: This study utilizes a qualitative analysis of open-source intelligence, investigative journalism, and forensic reports to map the ecosystem of Private Sector Offensive Actors (PSOAs). Results: Investigation into firms like NSO Group and Intellexa reveals a systemic pattern where "national security" tools are repurposed for political espionage against journalists and activists. The market currently thrives within a regulatory void, resistant to fragmented national sanctions. Conclusion: The normalization of mercenary surveillance poses an existential threat to press freedom and the rule of law. The paper recommends a global moratorium on the transfer of such technology until a binding international legal framework is established.