European Politician’s Phone Hacked with Pegasus Spyware Amid Investigation
The hacking of European politician Stelios Kouloglou’s phone with Pegasus spyware, as confirmed by the University of Toronto’s digital rights unit The Citizen Lab, has raised concerns about governments abusing spyware to collect information about their critics. This incident marks the first time a member of the European Parliament’s PEGA committee, tasked with investigating phone spyware attacks, has been publicly identified as a victim of spyware.
This mirrors the controversy surrounding the hacking of journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s phone in 2018, which highlighted the risks of spyware being used to target critics of governments. The use of Pegasus spyware in this case has reignited fresh controversy over the abuse of surveillance tools by governments.
The timing and targeting of Kouloglou’s phone hacking suggest an intense focus on the committee’s inner workings ahead of a widely anticipated report detailing its findings. The hacks open fresh questions about how governments use spyware ostensibly needed for identifying serious crime, but then caught spying on the communications of journalists, lawmakers, and critics.
NSO Group’s Pegasus Spyware: A Tool for Governments and a Threat to Critics
NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware has been at the center of controversy, with allegations of its use by governments to spy on critics, journalists, and human rights activists. The company has maintained that its spyware is used to fight crime and terrorism, but critics argue that it has been used to silence dissenting voices.
The reuse of the same attacking email address in the hacking of Kouloglou’s phone implies that the customer had NSO Group’s authorization to use its Pegasus spyware to snoop on phones across multiple countries in Europe. This raises questions about NSO Group’s vetting process for its customers and its responsibility in ensuring that its spyware is not used to abuse human rights.
The hack of Kouloglou’s phone was carried out using a “zero-click” bug, which allowed the spyware to grab private data without his knowledge or interaction. This vulnerability had been patched, but the fix was not yet installed on Kouloglou’s phone, highlighting the need for timely software updates to prevent such attacks.
Winners and Losers in the Spyware Game
The use of Pegasus spyware by governments has created a lucrative market for spyware makers like NSO Group. However, this has come at a cost to critics, journalists, and human rights activists who have been targeted by these surveillance tools.
Lawmakers like Kouloglou, who are tasked with investigating the abuse of spyware, are also at risk of being targeted. This has created a chilling effect, where critics of governments are reluctant to speak out for fear of being spied on.
The European Commission has been criticized for its slow response to the abuse of spyware by governments. The commission’s spokesperson did not respond to TechCrunch’s request for comment, highlighting the need for greater transparency and accountability in the use of surveillance tools.
A Skeptical View of NSO Group’s Intentions
NSO Group’s claim that its spyware is used to fight crime and terrorism has been disputed by critics, who argue that it has been used to silence dissenting voices. The company’s decision to allow its customers to use its spyware to snoop on phones across multiple countries in Europe raises questions about its responsibility in ensuring that its spyware is not used to abuse human rights.
The fact that NSO Group did not respond to TechCrunch’s request for comment about the Citizen Lab report prior to publication raises concerns about the company’s transparency and accountability. The company’s silence on the matter has only added to the skepticism surrounding its intentions.
A Signal to Watch: NSO Group’s Next Move
The next verifiable event that will confirm or disprove the thesis of this article is NSO Group’s response to Kouloglou’s plan to sue the company. If NSO Group is found liable for the hacking of Kouloglou’s phone, it could set a precedent for holding spyware makers accountable for the abuse of their surveillance tools.
The European Commission’s response to the abuse of spyware by governments will also be a signal to watch. If the commission takes concrete action to impose strict limits on the use of spyware across the 27 member-state bloc, it could mark a turning point in the fight against the abuse of surveillance tools.
What’s your take on this? Drop your perspective in the comments below.
By Alex Mercer, Senior Tech Analyst at TrendFlashy
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