Joel Saget / AFP via Getty Images
Israeli spyware company NSO Group has temporarily blocked several government clients around the world from using its technology as the company investigates their possible misuse, a company employee told NPR on Thursday.
The suspensions are in response to an investigation by the Pegasus Project, a consortium of media outlets that reported the company s Pegasus spyware was linked to hacks and potential surveillance of telephones of people including journalists, human rights activists and heads of state.
The company has been under scrutiny in the wake of the reports. The Israeli government has also faced pressure since it regulates the sale of spyware technology to other countries. Now the company says it has suspended some clients access to its technology.
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Sputnik International
Pegasus snooping scandal: Israel launches probe into allegations against NSO
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Last Updated: Jul 30, 2021, 04:59 PM IST
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Synopsis
The alleged use of the Pegasus software to spy on journalists, human rights defenders, politicians and others in a number of countries, including India, triggered concerns over issues relating to privacy.
Reuters
The logo of Israeli cyber firm NSO Group is seen at one of its branches in the Arava Desert, southern Israel July 22, 2021
Israel has launched a probe into the allegations of wrongdoing against the NSO Group in the Pegasus snooping scandal, with authorities inspecting the cybersecurity company s offices over alleged abuses of its spyware by several government clients which have raised eyebrows the world over.
14 hours ago
Recently, the Israeli government had also visited the NSO Group’s office even as the company continues to deny the revelations brought forth by the Pegasus Project reports.
Israel-based NSO Group whose spyware Pegasus has reportedly been used to (potentially) snoop on hundreds of Indians, has temporarily blocked several government clients around the world from using its technology as it conducts an internal investigation into the spyware’s possible misuse, an NPR.org report said.
Why it matters? Since NSO Group has specifically stated that they only sell their products such as Pegasus to vetted governments and agencies, questions have been raised of the Indian government ever since it came to the fore that several Indians, including many who may have/have been critical of the ruling party, were surveilled. They include Congress politician Rahul Gandhi, election strategist Prashant Kishor, former Election Commission member Ashok Lavasa and others.