Stay updated with breaking news from Pegasus Project. Get real-time updates on events, politics, business, and more. Visit us for reliable news and exclusive interviews.
Agreement within the Council on the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) is "very close", according to a recent document circulated by the Swedish Presidency - but provisions on the "exceptional" use of spyware against journalists are still the subject of discussions.
The global market for commercial spyware is currently estimated at around $12 billion, which over the last 10 years has seen 80 countries purchase the technology. Spyware is used for a range of purposes, allowing operators to gain remote access to devices from across the world. Once a device becomes infected, the perpetrator gains complete control of the device, which can mean unfettered access to messages, audio calls, photos, and remote access to cameras and microphones.
After a yearlong inquiry, the European spyware committee calls for stronger regulation, improved export controls, and new initiatives to control the proliferation of spyware tools.
Since 2020, NSO Group has paid foreign agents more than $2.9 million for foreign influence and lobbying operations in the U.S.
In late August last year, the Supreme Court said that the technical committee appointed by it had found ‘malware’ in five out of the 29 devices submitted to it.