A new report by a committee of the European Parliament claimed that EU democracy is under attack by the increasing use of mercenary spyware that violates privacy rights.

Report: EU democracy is under attack by mercenary spyware

Spyware used illegitimately in four EU states, claims report

More than a dozen&nbsp;senior&nbsp;Indonesian&nbsp;government and military&nbsp;officials&nbsp;were&nbsp;targeted&nbsp;last&nbsp;year&nbsp;with spy software designed by an Israeli surveillance firm, according to nine people with knowledge of the matter.

Six of the individuals told Reuters they have targeted themselves.&nbsp;

The targets included&nbsp;Chief Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto,&nbsp;senior&nbsp;military personnel,&nbsp;two&nbsp;regional diplomats,&nbsp;and advisers in Indonesia's defence and foreign affairs ministries, according to the people.

Six of the&nbsp;Indonesian&nbsp;officials&nbsp;and advisers&nbsp;targeted&nbsp;told Reuters they received an email message from Apple Inc in November 2021 telling them&nbsp;that Apple believed&nbsp;officials&nbsp;were being "targeted&nbsp;by state-sponsored attackers."

Apple has not disclosed the identities or number of users&nbsp;targeted. The company declined to comment for this story.&nbsp;

Apple and security researchers have said the recipients of the warnings were&nbsp;targeted&nbsp;using ForcedEntry, an advanced piece of software that has been used by Israeli cyber surveillance vendor NSO Group to help foreign spy agencies remotely and invisibly take control of iPhones. Another Israeli cyber firm, QuaDream, has developed a nearly identical hacking tool, Reuters has reported.&nbsp;

Reuters was unable to determine who made or used the&nbsp;spyware&nbsp;to target the&nbsp;Indonesian&nbsp;officials, whether the attempts were successful, and, if so, what the hackers might have obtained as a result.

The attempt to target&nbsp;Indonesian&nbsp;officials, which has not previously been reported, is one of the biggest cases yet seen of the software being used against government, military and&nbsp;defence&nbsp;ministry personnel, according to cybersecurity experts.

Spokespeople for the&nbsp;Indonesian&nbsp;government, the&nbsp;Indonesian&nbsp;military, the&nbsp;Indonesian&nbsp;Defence Ministry&nbsp;and the&nbsp;Indonesian&nbsp;Cyber and Crypto Agency (BSSN) did not respond to requests for comments and emailed questions.&nbsp;

A spokesman for the Foreign Affairs Ministry said they were&nbsp;unaware&nbsp;of the case and referred Reuters to BSSN.

Airlangga Hartarto, a top ally of the&nbsp;Indonesian&nbsp;president Joko Widodo, did not respond to questions sent to him by Reuters, nor did his representatives.

The use of ForcedEntry, which exploits a flaw in iPhones through a new hacking technique that requires no user interactions, was made public by cybersecurity watchdog Citizen Lab in September 2021. Google security researchers described it as the "most technically sophisticated" hacking attack they had ever seen, in a company blog post published in December.

Apple patched the vulnerability in September&nbsp;last&nbsp;year&nbsp;and in November started sending notification messages to what it called a "small number of users that it discovered may have been&nbsp;targeted."

In response to Reuters questions, an NSO spokesperson denied the company’s software was involved in the targeting of&nbsp;Indonesian&nbsp;officials, dismissing it as "contractually and technologically impossible," without specifying why. The company, which does not disclose the identity of its customers, says it sells its products only to "vetted and legitimate" government entities.&nbsp;

QuaDream did not respond to requests for comment.

In addition to the six&nbsp;officials&nbsp;and advisers who told Reuters they were&nbsp;targeted, a director at a state-owned&nbsp;Indonesian&nbsp;firm that provides weapons to the&nbsp;Indonesian&nbsp;army got the same message from Apple, according to two people with knowledge of the matter. The people asked not to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter. The company director did not respond to requests for comment.

Within weeks of Apple's notification in November&nbsp;last&nbsp;year, the U.S. government added&nbsp;NSO to the Department of Commerce's 'entity list,' which makes it harder for U.S. companies to do business with it, after determining that the firm's phone-hacking technology had been used by foreign governments to "maliciously target" political dissidents around the world.

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More than a dozen senior Indonesian government and military officials were targeted last year with spy software designed by an Israeli surveillance firm, according to nine people with knowledge of the matter.

More than a dozen senior Indonesian government and military officials were targeted last year with spy software designed by an Israeli surveillance firm, according to nine people with knowledge of the matter. Six of the individuals told Reuters they have targeted themselves. The targets included Chief Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto, senior military personnel, two regional diplomats, and advisers in Indonesia's defence and foreign affairs ministries, according to the people. Six of the Indonesian officials and advisers targeted told Reuters they received an email message from Apple Inc in November 2021 telling them that Apple believed officials were being "targeted by state-sponsored attackers." Apple has not disclosed the identities or number of users targeted. The company declined to comment for this story. Apple and security researchers have said the recipients of the warnings were targeted using ForcedEntry, an advanced piece of software that has been used by Israeli cyber surveillance vendor NSO Group to help foreign spy agencies remotely and invisibly take control of iPhones. Another Israeli cyber firm, QuaDream, has developed a nearly identical hacking tool, Reuters has reported. Reuters was unable to determine who made or used the spyware to target the Indonesian officials, whether the attempts were successful, and, if so, what the hackers might have obtained as a result. The attempt to target Indonesian officials, which has not previously been reported, is one of the biggest cases yet seen of the software being used against government, military and defence ministry personnel, according to cybersecurity experts. Spokespeople for the Indonesian government, the Indonesian military, the Indonesian Defence Ministry and the Indonesian Cyber and Crypto Agency (BSSN) did not respond to requests for comments and emailed questions. A spokesman for the Foreign Affairs Ministry said they were unaware of the case and referred Reuters to BSSN. Airlangga Hartarto, a top ally of the Indonesian president Joko Widodo, did not respond to questions sent to him by Reuters, nor did his representatives. The use of ForcedEntry, which exploits a flaw in iPhones through a new hacking technique that requires no user interactions, was made public by cybersecurity watchdog Citizen Lab in September 2021. Google security researchers described it as the "most technically sophisticated" hacking attack they had ever seen, in a company blog post published in December. Apple patched the vulnerability in September last year and in November started sending notification messages to what it called a "small number of users that it discovered may have been targeted." In response to Reuters questions, an NSO spokesperson denied the company’s software was involved in the targeting of Indonesian officials, dismissing it as "contractually and technologically impossible," without specifying why. The company, which does not disclose the identity of its customers, says it sells its products only to "vetted and legitimate" government entities. QuaDream did not respond to requests for comment. In addition to the six officials and advisers who told Reuters they were targeted, a director at a state-owned Indonesian firm that provides weapons to the Indonesian army got the same message from Apple, according to two people with knowledge of the matter. The people asked not to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter. The company director did not respond to requests for comment. Within weeks of Apple's notification in November last year, the U.S. government added NSO to the Department of Commerce's 'entity list,' which makes it harder for U.S. companies to do business with it, after determining that the firm's phone-hacking technology had been used by foreign governments to "maliciously target" political dissidents around the world. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Senior Indonesian officials 'targeted by spyware' last year

Hanan Elatr, the wife of slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, said she will sue the spyware maker NSO Group as she is reportedly preparing a lawsuit in the United States. She claimed that the Israeli company's Pegasus software targeted her, The Guardian reported on Thursday.&nbsp;

Elatr was quoted as saying, "It is important to make everyone involved in this horrible crime accountable. My husband was a peaceful man. I believe in American justice." She is currently living in the US and seeking asylum there.&nbsp;

Khashoggi, who had been sharply critical of the Saudi rulers, was claimed to be assassinated at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, 2018. The incident was criticised by the US and other Western countries.&nbsp;

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For the lawsuit, Elatr now wants to acquire all the electronic devices belonging to Khashoggi that are apparently possessed by the Turkish authorities.&nbsp;

Last year, when her legal counsel attempted to obtain the devices from the Turkish embassy in Washington, the request was denied. She was advised to file a legal application in Turkey.&nbsp;

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Thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/danielboffey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@danielboffey</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/guardian?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@guardian</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AgnesCallamard?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AgnesCallamard</a> for your help in trying to get my husband’s <a href="https://twitter.com/JKhashoggi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JKhashoggi</a> phones from <a href="https://twitter.com/RTErdogan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RTErdogan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JamalKhashoggi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JamalKhashoggi</a> <a href="https://t.co/C9rFYErkqx">https://t.co/C9rFYErkqx</a>
— Mrs Hanan Elatr Khashoggiحنان العتر خاشقجى (@hananelatr) <a href="https://twitter.com/hananelatr/status/1573064749050433537?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 22, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Agnes Callamard, who is the Amnesty International chief supported the efforts made by Elatr. Callamard, who led a UN probe into Khashoggi's murder, said in a statement: "The Turkish government has been clear that it does not intend to proceed with the investigation and the trial." She referred to a Turkish court's decision in April to suspend the trial of 26 suspects and send the case to Saudi Arabia.&nbsp;

She further added, "It should therefore hand over any evidence still in its hands to those that are truly and authentically determined to reveal the truth about Jamal's killing. Determining whether his phones had been hacked, whether he was under digital surveillance, identifying the spywares – these are all crucial elements both for the purpose of truth-telling and for understanding and preventing targeting of dissidents."&nbsp;

Callamard said that when she had requested for Khashoggi's electronic devices to be examined by other cyber experts, it was denied by the Turkish officials.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, NSO said that its spyware was never used to attack the phones of Khashoggi or Elatr.&nbsp;

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Hanan Elatr, the wife of slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, said she will sue the spyware maker NSO Group as she is reportedly preparing a lawsuit in the United States.

Hanan Elatr, the wife of slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, said she will sue the spyware maker NSO Group as she is reportedly preparing a lawsuit in the United States. She claimed that the Israeli company's Pegasus software targeted her, The Guardian reported on Thursday. Elatr was quoted as saying, "It is important to make everyone involved in this horrible crime accountable. My husband was a peaceful man. I believe in American justice." She is currently living in the US and seeking asylum there. Khashoggi, who had been sharply critical of the Saudi rulers, was claimed to be assassinated at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, 2018. The incident was criticised by the US and other Western countries. ALSO READ | Referendums on joining Russia begin in four captured Ukrainian provinces, Kyiv and West condemn move For the lawsuit, Elatr now wants to acquire all the electronic devices belonging to Khashoggi that are apparently possessed by the Turkish authorities. Last year, when her legal counsel attempted to obtain the devices from the Turkish embassy in Washington, the request was denied. She was advised to file a legal application in Turkey. Thank you @danielboffey @guardian @AgnesCallamard for your help in trying to get my husband’s @JKhashoggi phones from @RTErdogan #JamalKhashoggi https://t.co/C9rFYErkqx — Mrs Hanan Elatr Khashoggiحنان العتر خاشقجى (@hananelatr) September 22, 2022 × ALSO READ | Han Lay: Outspoken Myanmar beauty queen held by Thai immigration Agnes Callamard, who is the Amnesty International chief supported the efforts made by Elatr. Callamard, who led a UN probe into Khashoggi's murder, said in a statement: "The Turkish government has been clear that it does not intend to proceed with the investigation and the trial." She referred to a Turkish court's decision in April to suspend the trial of 26 suspects and send the case to Saudi Arabia. She further added, "It should therefore hand over any evidence still in its hands to those that are truly and authentically determined to reveal the truth about Jamal's killing. Determining whether his phones had been hacked, whether he was under digital surveillance, identifying the spywares – these are all crucial elements both for the purpose of truth-telling and for understanding and preventing targeting of dissidents." Callamard said that when she had requested for Khashoggi's electronic devices to be examined by other cyber experts, it was denied by the Turkish officials. Meanwhile, NSO said that its spyware was never used to attack the phones of Khashoggi or Elatr. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Jamal Khashoggi's wife planning to sue NSO Group over spyware: Report

The European Union is investing €8 million in a safe bunker in Brussels so that leaders can discuss their sensitive topics without any eavesdroppers. Around 100 persons may be seated in the chamber, including 34 leaders, their 34 note-takers, protocol, technical, and culinary staff. The secure area will also be used for discussion by ambassadors and senior EU officials. The bloc currently has 27 members that may increase in the future, as reported by EUobserver.

Additionally, to “mitigate the risk of exploitation of compromising emanations,” or the electro-magnetic and radio waves produced, both the conference space and booths will be surrounded by a Nato-certified insulation cage. The area will be unplugged, furnished with a big screen conferencing system to 30 secure interpretation booths.&nbsp;

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The EU memo said that every precaution would be taken to prevent anyone from bringing listening devices. Before and after the meetings, the bunker will be swept “to detect, locate and neutralise any eavesdropping device,” the memo claimed.&nbsp;

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The bunker will offer a properly fixed decorum like flags, but no flowers or any other objects. A sufficient level of comfort will be provided to the VIPs like furniture and seats, the memo added.&nbsp;

The European Union Council would house the envisioned bunker. By 2024, the facility will be constructed in Brussels’s EU Council building, which already serves as a place for meetings. Although the precise place has not been chosen, officials are searching for a place close to make it easier for leaders to move back and forth.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

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The European Union is investing €8 million in a safe bunker in Brussels so that leaders can discuss their sensitive topics without any eavesdroppers. Around 100 persons may be seated in the chamber, including 34 leaders, their 34 note-takers, protocol, technical, and culinary staff.

The European Union is investing €8 million in a safe bunker in Brussels so that leaders can discuss their sensitive topics without any eavesdroppers. Around 100 persons may be seated in the chamber, including 34 leaders, their 34 note-takers, protocol, technical, and culinary staff. The secure area will also be used for discussion by ambassadors and senior EU officials. The bloc currently has 27 members that may increase in the future, as reported by EUobserver. Additionally, to “mitigate the risk of exploitation of compromising emanations,” or the electro-magnetic and radio waves produced, both the conference space and booths will be surrounded by a Nato-certified insulation cage. The area will be unplugged, furnished with a big screen conferencing system to 30 secure interpretation booths. Also read | European Union plans for life without Russian gas amid inflation spike The EU memo said that every precaution would be taken to prevent anyone from bringing listening devices. Before and after the meetings, the bunker will be swept “to detect, locate and neutralise any eavesdropping device,” the memo claimed. Also read | COVID-19: European Union advises second booster for people above 60 years The bunker will offer a properly fixed decorum like flags, but no flowers or any other objects. A sufficient level of comfort will be provided to the VIPs like furniture and seats, the memo added. The European Union Council would house the envisioned bunker. By 2024, the facility will be constructed in Brussels’s EU Council building, which already serves as a place for meetings. Although the precise place has not been chosen, officials are searching for a place close to make it easier for leaders to move back and forth. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

European Union to invest €8mn for bunker to prevent evesdropping on secret talks

Hellbent on protecting its user’s privacy, Apple in a big update is planning to release a "Lockdown Mode" this fall. As per Apple Inc, this will add a new layer of protection for the frequent targets of sophisticated hacking attacks: human rights advocates, political dissidents etc. The move comes after it was discovered that two Israeli firms exploited flaws in Apple's software to remotely break into iPhones that too without the target even clicking or tapping on a malicious link.&nbsp;When enabled, this mode will block most attachments sent to the iPhone's Messages app. Security experts think NSO Group took advantage of a weakness in the way Apple handled communication attachments.

'Pegasus' a snooping software by the NSO Group is one such spyware that can carry out such attacks. The maker has been sued by Apple and has been placed on a trade blacklist by US officials.

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The new feature will protect against "zero click" hacking tactics. As per&nbsp;an Apple representative still very uncommon and most users won't even need to activate the new mode.

Companies who sell such spyware have argued that they do it to help governments combat threats to national security.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/pegasus-snooping-effect-apple-to-alert-users-whenever-iphones-get-hacked-by-spyware-432997">Pegasus snooping effect: Apple to alert users whenever iPhones get hacked by spyware</a>

However, human rights organisations and journalists have frequently shown how spyware is used to target civil society, stifle political dissent, and meddle in elections.

Apple has also promised that it will pay up to $2 million for each vulnerability that security researchers can uncover in the new mode, which will help strengthen the feature. According to Apple representatives, this is the greatest "bug bounty" available in the market.

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The company also said that it would donate $10 million to organisations that identify, expose, and seek to stop targeted hacking, in addition to any potential settlement funds from its legal action against NSO Group. The grant, according to Apple, would go to the Ford Foundation's Dignity and Justice Fund, one of the biggest private foundations in the country.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Hellbent on protecting its user’s privacy, Apple in a big update is planning to release a "Lockdown Mode" this fall. As per Apple Inc, this will add a new layer of protection for the frequent targets of sophisticated hacking attacks: human rights advocates, political dissidents etc.

Hellbent on protecting its user’s privacy, Apple in a big update is planning to release a "Lockdown Mode" this fall. As per Apple Inc, this will add a new layer of protection for the frequent targets of sophisticated hacking attacks: human rights advocates, political dissidents etc. The move comes after it was discovered that two Israeli firms exploited flaws in Apple's software to remotely break into iPhones that too without the target even clicking or tapping on a malicious link. When enabled, this mode will block most attachments sent to the iPhone's Messages app. Security experts think NSO Group took advantage of a weakness in the way Apple handled communication attachments. 'Pegasus' a snooping software by the NSO Group is one such spyware that can carry out such attacks. The maker has been sued by Apple and has been placed on a trade blacklist by US officials. Watch | China’s data breach of over 1 billion people: Key details The new feature will protect against "zero click" hacking tactics. As per an Apple representative still very uncommon and most users won't even need to activate the new mode. Companies who sell such spyware have argued that they do it to help governments combat threats to national security. Also read | Pegasus snooping effect: Apple to alert users whenever iPhones get hacked by spyware However, human rights organisations and journalists have frequently shown how spyware is used to target civil society, stifle political dissent, and meddle in elections. Apple has also promised that it will pay up to $2 million for each vulnerability that security researchers can uncover in the new mode, which will help strengthen the feature. According to Apple representatives, this is the greatest "bug bounty" available in the market. Also read | Apple and Meta give user data to hackers who pretended to be enforcement officials: Report The company also said that it would donate $10 million to organisations that identify, expose, and seek to stop targeted hacking, in addition to any potential settlement funds from its legal action against NSO Group. The grant, according to Apple, would go to the Ford Foundation's Dignity and Justice Fund, one of the biggest private foundations in the country. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Apple's new 'lockdown' mode: Here's what it is and how it will work

Tech giant Google said an Italian vendor used a "combination of tactics, including drive-by downloads" to target mobile users on both iOS and Android devices in Italy and Kazakhstan.

The report said RCS Lab developed tools to spy on devices. Google said it had earlier testified at the EU Parliamentary hearing on “Big Tech and Spyware” about the work it has done to "monitor and disrupt the thriving industry".

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RCS Lab said it complies with European Union and will help to investigate the cybercrime.&nbsp;

Google said it has taken steps to protect the Android operating system. The development amid Israel's NSO's Pegasus spyware which allegedly targeted journalists, activists and dissidents.

Watch:&nbsp;Google embroiled in religious controversies

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Google said the spyware spread by getting people to click on links in messages. "Once clicked, the page attempted to get the user to download and install a malicious application on either Android or iOS," it said.

"In some cases, it worked with the target’s ISP to disable the target’s mobile data connectivity," Google said, adding,"once disabled, the attacker would send a malicious link via SMS asking the target to install an application to recover their data connectivity."

"Google's threat analysis group has been tracking more than 30 vendors with varying levels of sophistication selling exploits or surveillance capabilities to government-backed actors," it said.

(With inputs from Agencies)

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Tech giant Google said an Italian vendor used a "combination of tactics, including drive-by downloads" to target mobile users on both iOS and Android devices in Italy and Kazakhstan.

Tech giant Google said an Italian vendor used a "combination of tactics, including drive-by downloads" to target mobile users on both iOS and Android devices in Italy and Kazakhstan. The report said RCS Lab developed tools to spy on devices. Google said it had earlier testified at the EU Parliamentary hearing on “Big Tech and Spyware” about the work it has done to "monitor and disrupt the thriving industry". Also Read: Google News returns to Spain, courtesy updated copyright law RCS Lab said it complies with European Union and will help to investigate the cybercrime. Google said it has taken steps to protect the Android operating system. The development amid Israel's NSO's Pegasus spyware which allegedly targeted journalists, activists and dissidents. Watch: Google embroiled in religious controversies Google said the spyware spread by getting people to click on links in messages. "Once clicked, the page attempted to get the user to download and install a malicious application on either Android or iOS," it said. "In some cases, it worked with the target’s ISP to disable the target’s mobile data connectivity," Google said, adding,"once disabled, the attacker would send a malicious link via SMS asking the target to install an application to recover their data connectivity." "Google's threat analysis group has been tracking more than 30 vendors with varying levels of sophistication selling exploits or surveillance capabilities to government-backed actors," it said. (With inputs from Agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Italian spyware targeted Apple, Android phones: Google

A new enterprise-grade Android spyware called 'Hermit' is being used by the governments via SMS messages to target high-profile people like business executives, human rights activists, journalists, academics and government officials according to cyber-security researchers, as reported by Indo Asian News Service. 
&nbsp; 
The team at cyber-security company Lookout Threat Lab uncovered the 'surveillanceware' that was used by the government of Kazakhstan in April, four months after nationwide protests against government policies were violently suppressed. 
&nbsp; 
"Based on our analysis, the spyware, which we named 'Hermit' is likely developed by Italian spyware vendor RCS Lab and Tykelab Srl, a telecommunications solutions company we suspect to be operating as a front company, " the researchers said in a blog post. 
&nbsp; 
This isn't the first time Hermit has been deployed. Italian authorities used it in an anti-corruption operation in 2019. 
&nbsp; 
"We also found evidence suggesting that an unknown actor used it in northeastern Syria, a predominantly Kurdish region that has been the setting of numerous regional conflicts, " the team noted. 
&nbsp; 
RCS Lab, a known developer that has been active for over three decades, operates in the same market as Pegasus developer NSO Group Technologies and Gamma Group, which created FinFisher. RCS Lab has engaged with military and intelligence agencies in Pakistan, Chile, Mongolia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Myanmar and Turkmenistan. 
&nbsp; 
Collectively branded as "lawful intercept" companies, they claim to only sell to customers with a legitimate use for surveillanceware, such as intelligence and law enforcement agencies. 
&nbsp; 
"In reality, such tools have often been abused under the guise of national security to spy on business executives, human rights activists, journalists, academics and government officials, " the researchers warned. 
&nbsp; 
Hermit is modular spyware that hides its malicious capabilities in packages downloaded after it's deployed. These modules, along with the permissions the core apps have, enable Hermit to exploit a rooted device, record&nbsp; 
audio and make and redirect phone calls, as well as collect data such as call logs, contacts, photos, device location and SMS messages.

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&nbsp; 
"We theorise that the spyware is distributed via SMS messages pretending to come from a legitimate source. The malware samples analysed impersonated the applications of telecommunications companies or smartphone manufacturers, " said the Lookout team. 
&nbsp; 
The spyware has been used for surveillance of activists, journalists and political leaders from several nations around the world, including India. The Supreme Court-appointed technical committee last month informed the court that it would submit the Pegasus probe report soon. The committee informed the top court that 29 mobile devices have been examined. The Supreme Court gave more time to the technical committee to finalise and submit its report.

(with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

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A new enterprise-grade Android spyware called 'Hermit' is being used by the governments via SMS messages to target high-profile people like business executives, human rights activists, journalists, academics and government officials according to cyber-security researchers, as reported by Indo Asian News Service.

A new enterprise-grade Android spyware called 'Hermit' is being used by the governments via SMS messages to target high-profile people like business executives, human rights activists, journalists, academics and government officials according to cyber-security researchers, as reported by Indo Asian News Service. The team at cyber-security company Lookout Threat Lab uncovered the 'surveillanceware' that was used by the government of Kazakhstan in April, four months after nationwide protests against government policies were violently suppressed. "Based on our analysis, the spyware, which we named 'Hermit' is likely developed by Italian spyware vendor RCS Lab and Tykelab Srl, a telecommunications solutions company we suspect to be operating as a front company, " the researchers said in a blog post. This isn't the first time Hermit has been deployed. Italian authorities used it in an anti-corruption operation in 2019. "We also found evidence suggesting that an unknown actor used it in northeastern Syria, a predominantly Kurdish region that has been the setting of numerous regional conflicts, " the team noted. RCS Lab, a known developer that has been active for over three decades, operates in the same market as Pegasus developer NSO Group Technologies and Gamma Group, which created FinFisher. RCS Lab has engaged with military and intelligence agencies in Pakistan, Chile, Mongolia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Myanmar and Turkmenistan. Collectively branded as "lawful intercept" companies, they claim to only sell to customers with a legitimate use for surveillanceware, such as intelligence and law enforcement agencies. "In reality, such tools have often been abused under the guise of national security to spy on business executives, human rights activists, journalists, academics and government officials, " the researchers warned. Hermit is modular spyware that hides its malicious capabilities in packages downloaded after it's deployed. These modules, along with the permissions the core apps have, enable Hermit to exploit a rooted device, record audio and make and redirect phone calls, as well as collect data such as call logs, contacts, photos, device location and SMS messages. Also Read: Crypto crash: Bitcoin last down 7.4 per cent at $18,915 "We theorise that the spyware is distributed via SMS messages pretending to come from a legitimate source. The malware samples analysed impersonated the applications of telecommunications companies or smartphone manufacturers, " said the Lookout team. The spyware has been used for surveillance of activists, journalists and political leaders from several nations around the world, including India. The Supreme Court-appointed technical committee last month informed the court that it would submit the Pegasus probe report soon. The committee informed the top court that 29 mobile devices have been examined. The Supreme Court gave more time to the technical committee to finalise and submit its report. (with inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Android spyware ‘hermit’ now being used by governments

Technology is without a doubt a boon for all of us. Everything is so much easier.&nbsp;Hungry? Food ordering is a cinch with the many food ordering applications, where you can, of course, order pie. Too lazy to go to the market, everything is available online.&nbsp;You don't even have to get up to switch off the lights. Technology like Alexa, Siri and Cortana will help you there too.&nbsp;But as they say, every coin has two sides and the negative side of technology is the loss of privacy.&nbsp;Everything we do online leaves a trace. The data can be used to create a profile of our likes and dislikes and predict our actions. What's more, the technology boom has also given rise to spyware, which is always listening to us.

Has it ever happened to you that you're talking about something with someone, and soon you start seeing ads for that product? That's the work of spyware.

Home devices such as Amazon's Echo, Google Home have been accused of recording our conversations. And if reports are to be believed even your office computer systems may contain "bosswares" that are employed by bosses to listen to their employees.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/technology-giants-spy-on-staff-to-prevent-unionising-report-says-441951">Technology giants spy on staff to prevent unionising, report says</a>

Is all this information scaring you? Who would want to be spied on? We all have things we don't want "them" to know.

Playing loud music or having running water in the background is one method to protect your interactions, but let's be honest, these ways will be distracting.

We may soon be able to go unnoticed with the help of Neural Voice Camouflage technology, which boasts of being whisper-quiet and resists 'surveillance.

Watch |&nbsp;Why Telegram messaging app isn’t as secure as you think

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Researchers at Columbia Engineering have created this breakthrough system that generates noises that can be played in any setting, in any situation. This will prevent smart devices from spying on you.&nbsp;

The method it employs generates custom audio noise in the background as you speak, which serves to confuse the AI listening in.

It basically uses AI to fool another AI. The strategy uses machine learning, finding patterns in data to tweak sounds in such a way that the spy AI mistakes them for something else.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/muslim-prayer-app-others-banned-by-google-after-finding-spyware-linked-to-us-national-security-contractor-469137">Muslim prayer app, others banned by Google after finding spyware linked to US national security contractor</a>

Making it all function fast enough was a crucial technological problem, said Carl Vondrick, assistant professor of computer science.

“Our algorithm, which manages to block a rogue microphone from correctly hearing your words 80% of the time, is the fastest and the most accurate on our testbed."

"It works even when we don’t know anything about the rogue microphone, such as the location of it, or even the computer software running on it. It basically camouflages a person’s voice over-the-air, hiding it from these listening systems, and without inconveniencing the conversation between people in the room.”

(With inputs from agencies)

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Technology is without a doubt a boon for all of us. Everything is so much easier. Hungry? Food ordering is a cinch with the many food ordering applications, where you can, of course, order pie.

Technology is without a doubt a boon for all of us. Everything is so much easier. Hungry? Food ordering is a cinch with the many food ordering applications, where you can, of course, order pie. Too lazy to go to the market, everything is available online. You don't even have to get up to switch off the lights. Technology like Alexa, Siri and Cortana will help you there too. But as they say, every coin has two sides and the negative side of technology is the loss of privacy. Everything we do online leaves a trace. The data can be used to create a profile of our likes and dislikes and predict our actions. What's more, the technology boom has also given rise to spyware, which is always listening to us. Has it ever happened to you that you're talking about something with someone, and soon you start seeing ads for that product? That's the work of spyware. Home devices such as Amazon's Echo, Google Home have been accused of recording our conversations. And if reports are to be believed even your office computer systems may contain "bosswares" that are employed by bosses to listen to their employees. Also read | Technology giants spy on staff to prevent unionising, report says Is all this information scaring you? Who would want to be spied on? We all have things we don't want "them" to know. Playing loud music or having running water in the background is one method to protect your interactions, but let's be honest, these ways will be distracting. We may soon be able to go unnoticed with the help of Neural Voice Camouflage technology, which boasts of being whisper-quiet and resists 'surveillance. Watch | Why Telegram messaging app isn’t as secure as you think Researchers at Columbia Engineering have created this breakthrough system that generates noises that can be played in any setting, in any situation. This will prevent smart devices from spying on you. The method it employs generates custom audio noise in the background as you speak, which serves to confuse the AI listening in. It basically uses AI to fool another AI. The strategy uses machine learning, finding patterns in data to tweak sounds in such a way that the spy AI mistakes them for something else. Also read | Muslim prayer app, others banned by Google after finding spyware linked to US national security contractor Making it all function fast enough was a crucial technological problem, said Carl Vondrick, assistant professor of computer science. “Our algorithm, which manages to block a rogue microphone from correctly hearing your words 80% of the time, is the fastest and the most accurate on our testbed." "It works even when we don’t know anything about the rogue microphone, such as the location of it, or even the computer software running on it. It basically camouflages a person’s voice over-the-air, hiding it from these listening systems, and without inconveniencing the conversation between people in the room.” (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Tired of technology spying on you? Here's how you can stop 'them' from listening in

According to a report, UK PM Boris Johnson's office was the target of suspected Pegasus spyware attacks in 2020 and 2021. A report presented by Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto said that suspected infections were linked to Johnson's No-10 office with Pegasus operators linked to UAE.

Report: UAE linked to Pegasus spyware attack on UK PM Boris Johnson's office

Is your government spying on you? How safe are you from Pegasus, a Spyware that can invade your privacy with just a click? The chief of Israeli spyware firm NSO Group on Tuesday confirmed that it had sold the country's police a variant of the Pegasus hacking tool that can access local cellphones.

What is 'Saifan' spyware? A weakened version of Pegasus for surveillance on Israeli citizens?

NSO spyware software is back in the news. Israel's parliament will seek an explanation from police over reported use of the software against Israeli citizens. According to sources, Israeli police have now put the controversial hacking tool Pegasus to use, the spyware was developed by Israel's NSO group.

Pegasus row: Israeli citizens targeted by police using NSO spyware software

Israeli parliament will seek an explanation from police over reported use of the Pegasus on citizens

Israel's justice minister on Wednesday said that a full investigation would be carried out into allegations that Pegasus spyware was used to spy on Israeli citizens, including those who protested against former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Pegasus, a surveillance product made by the Israeli firm NSO that can turn a mobile phone into a pocket spying device, has remained a source of global controversy following revelations last year it was used to spy on journalists and dissidents worldwide.&nbsp;

Business daily Cakcalist has alleged that Pegasus was also used by police in Israel to snoop on Israeli citizens who were at the forefront of anti-Netanyahu protests last year. The daily alleges that other Israeli citizens were also spied upon.

Israeli police have firmly denied the report.&nbsp;

Public Security Minister Omar Barlev, a Netanyahu critic who took office as part of a new government that ousted him in June, offered a more nuanced defence.&nbsp;

There was "no practice of wire-tapping or hacking devices by police without a judge's approval", he said.

Israeli security forces have wide leeway to conduct surveillance within Israel with judicial approval.&nbsp;

But Tehilla Shwartz Altshuler, an expert at the Israel Democracy Institute think-tank, told AFP "you can't really ask for a court order authorising&nbsp;Pegasus" because Israeli law does not currently permit such invasive surveillance of its citizens.

"It is now clear that the current Protection of Privacy Law is not equipped to cope with today’s reality," she said.&nbsp;

'Balance'?&nbsp;

The justice ministry and State Comptroller's office both said they were looking into the Calcalist reports.&nbsp;

The Privacy Protection Authority, a division of the ministry, said use of Pegasus to monitor Israeli citizens" would constitute a "serious violation of privacy", announcing its investigation.

State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman said Tuesday he would expand his ongoing investigation into law enforcement's use of surveillance technology to include the latest Pegasus allegations.&nbsp;

He would in particular probe "the balance" between the "usefulness" of surveillance tools in investigations and "violations of the right to privacy". 
Justice Minister Gideon Saar, another Netanyahu rival, told parliament Wednesday that he fully backed the probes.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Israel's justice minister on Wednesday said that a full investigation would be carried out into allegations that Pegasus spyware was used to spy on Israeli citizens, including those who protested against former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israel's justice minister on Wednesday said that a full investigation would be carried out into allegations that Pegasus spyware was used to spy on Israeli citizens, including those who protested against former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Pegasus, a surveillance product made by the Israeli firm NSO that can turn a mobile phone into a pocket spying device, has remained a source of global controversy following revelations last year it was used to spy on journalists and dissidents worldwide. Business daily Cakcalist has alleged that Pegasus was also used by police in Israel to snoop on Israeli citizens who were at the forefront of anti-Netanyahu protests last year. The daily alleges that other Israeli citizens were also spied upon. Israeli police have firmly denied the report. Public Security Minister Omar Barlev, a Netanyahu critic who took office as part of a new government that ousted him in June, offered a more nuanced defence. There was "no practice of wire-tapping or hacking devices by police without a judge's approval", he said. Israeli security forces have wide leeway to conduct surveillance within Israel with judicial approval. But Tehilla Shwartz Altshuler, an expert at the Israel Democracy Institute think-tank, told AFP "you can't really ask for a court order authorising Pegasus" because Israeli law does not currently permit such invasive surveillance of its citizens. "It is now clear that the current Protection of Privacy Law is not equipped to cope with today’s reality," she said. 'Balance'? The justice ministry and State Comptroller's office both said they were looking into the Calcalist reports. The Privacy Protection Authority, a division of the ministry, said use of Pegasus to monitor Israeli citizens" would constitute a "serious violation of privacy", announcing its investigation. State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman said Tuesday he would expand his ongoing investigation into law enforcement's use of surveillance technology to include the latest Pegasus allegations. He would in particular probe "the balance" between the "usefulness" of surveillance tools in investigations and "violations of the right to privacy". Justice Minister Gideon Saar, another Netanyahu rival, told parliament Wednesday that he fully backed the probes. (With inputs from agencies)

Israel to probe allegations of Pegasus spyware use against own citizens

The United States is using platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp to help the agencies spy on users in secret, Forbes reported citing newly-unsealed court documents show.

The United States is using platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp to help the agencies spy on users in secret, Forbes reported citing newly-unsealed court documents show. As per the report, the US federal agencies have been using a 35-year-old American surveillance law in order to track users on WhatsApp. It was mentioned in the report that there was no explanation for why was it done. Also, it was reportedly done without knowing who they are targeting. ALSO READ | One in ten COVID-19 patients could be infectious even after 10 days The report talks about a recently-unsealed government surveillance application that revealed that in November 2021. As per the report, the DEA investigators demanded the Facebook-owned messaging company to track seven users based in China and Macau. The application revealed that the DEA has no idea about the identities of any of the targets. However, they asked WhatsApp to monitor the IP addresses and numbers. The Forbes report mentioned that such surveillance is done using a technology known as a "pen register" - under the 1986 Pen Register Act. ALSO READ | India’s main cities record sharp fall in Covid infections It is understood that the 'pen registers' are surveillance devices that capture the phone numbers dialled on outgoing telephone calls. It traps and traces devices to capture the numbers identifying incoming calls. They are not supposed to reveal the content of communications and as mentioned by the Forbed report, the application doesn't seek any message content. On the other hand, WhatsApp couldn’t provide content, as it is end-to-end encrypted. Spyware Recently, Poland's ruling party leader admitted that the country bought Israeli spyware but dismissed claims it was used against the opposition. Recent allegations about the use of Pegasus software have rocked Poland, drawing comparisons to the Watergate investigation that led to US president Richard Nixon's resignation in 1974. Pegasus can turn smartphones into pocket spying devices, allowing the user to read the target's messages, track their location, and even turn on their camera and microphone without their knowledge.

Did US government agencies ask WhatsApp to help agencies spy on users in secret?

If reports are to be believed, the phones of around 11 employees of US State Department were hacked with the help of NSO Group’s technology. &nbsp; &nbsp;

The spyware of the Israel's most infamous hacker-for-hire company was used against employees, who are located in Uganda. These include some foreign service officers, said reports, citing a person familiar with the matter on Friday. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-should-be-prepared-of-terrible-consequences-if-it-precipitates-crisis-in-taiwan-says-blinken-433986">Blinken warns China over increasing incursions in Taiwan</a>

The disclosure was made by the person, who was not authorised to speak about an ongoing investigation. &nbsp;&nbsp;

This is the first time the spyware, which is called Pegasus, seems to have been used against US government personnel. &nbsp;

The iPhones of US State Department employees were hacked, the reports said. &nbsp;

At a briefing on Friday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki, said, "We have been acutely concerned that commercial spyware like NSO Group software poses a serious counterintelligence and security risk to US personnel." &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-county-school-admin-charges-36000-from-woman-to-give-info-on-sexual-assault-rape-433995">US county school admin charges $36,000 from woman to give info on ‘rape’</a>

The identity of the individuals or the information sought was not disclosed. &nbsp;&nbsp;

This development comes a month after the US Commerce Department blacklisted NSO Group. It barred US technology from being used by the company in any form. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

If reports are to be believed, the phones of around 11 employees of US State Department were hacked with the help of NSO Group’s technology. The spyware of the Israel's most infamous hacker-for-hire company was used against employees, who are located in Uganda.

If reports are to be believed, the phones of around 11 employees of US State Department were hacked with the help of NSO Group’s technology. The spyware of the Israel's most infamous hacker-for-hire company was used against employees, who are located in Uganda. These include some foreign service officers, said reports, citing a person familiar with the matter on Friday. Also Read: Blinken warns China over increasing incursions in Taiwan The disclosure was made by the person, who was not authorised to speak about an ongoing investigation. This is the first time the spyware, which is called Pegasus, seems to have been used against US government personnel. The iPhones of US State Department employees were hacked, the reports said. At a briefing on Friday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki, said, "We have been acutely concerned that commercial spyware like NSO Group software poses a serious counterintelligence and security risk to US personnel." Also Read: US county school admin charges $36,000 from woman to give info on ‘rape’ The identity of the individuals or the information sought was not disclosed. This development comes a month after the US Commerce Department blacklisted NSO Group. It barred US technology from being used by the company in any form. (With inputs from agencies)

11 US govt employees’ phones hacked using NSO Group’s spyware, say reports

Apple has said that it will alert the users whenever their iPhones and other Apple products are targeted by “state-sponsored” spyware attacks.&nbsp;

When Apple detects that a user has been targeted by state-sponsored hacking, it will send an iMessage and an email to the addresses on file, and a ‘Threat Notification’ will be displayed when the user signs into Apple ID, Apple said.

“State-sponsored attackers are very well-funded and sophisticated, and their attacks evolve over time. Detecting such attacks relies on threat intelligence signals that are often imperfect and incomplete,” Apple said in a statement.

“It’s possible that some Apple threat notifications may be false alarms, or that some attacks are not detected. We are unable to provide information about what causes us to issue threat notifications, as that may help state-sponsored attackers adapt their behavior to evade detection in the future,” it added.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pegasus-snooping-row-apple-files-lawsuit-against-israels-nso-431515">Pegasus snooping row: Apple files lawsuit against Israel's NSO</a>

Apple has listed out some best practices for all users to better protect themselves from any malware or cyberattacks:

<ul>
	<li>Update devices to the latest software, as that includes the latest security fixes</li>
	<li>Protect devices with a passcode</li>
	<li>Use two-factor authentication and a strong password for Apple ID</li>
	<li>Install apps from the App Store</li>
	<li>Use strong and unique passwords online</li>
	<li>Don’t click on links or attachments from unknown senders</li>
</ul>

The latest move by the Cupertino-based tech behemoth comes after it filed a lawsuit against the Israel-based NSO Group, following revelations that it licensed its Pegasus software to governments and other nation-state clients to snoop on people.

Mounting more trouble for the NSO group, the United States has blacklisted the firm, restricting exports from American groups over claims that the Israeli firm “enabled foreign governments to conduct transnational repression.”

The NSO has consistently denied any wrongdoing and insisted its software is intended only for use by authorities in combating terrorism and other crimes.

"Pedophiles and terrorists can freely operate in technological safe-havens, and we provide governments the lawful tools to fight it. NSO group will continue to advocate for the truth," the firm said in a statement.

(With inputs from agencies)

Apple has said that it will alert the users whenever their iPhones and other Apple products are targeted by “state-sponsored” spyware attacks. When Apple detects that a user has been targeted by state-sponsored hacking, it will send an iMessage and an email to the addresses on file, and a ‘Threat Notification’ will be displayed when the user signs into Apple ID, Apple said.

Apple has said that it will alert the users whenever their iPhones and other Apple products are targeted by “state-sponsored” spyware attacks. When Apple detects that a user has been targeted by state-sponsored hacking, it will send an iMessage and an email to the addresses on file, and a ‘Threat Notification’ will be displayed when the user signs into Apple ID, Apple said. “State-sponsored attackers are very well-funded and sophisticated, and their attacks evolve over time. Detecting such attacks relies on threat intelligence signals that are often imperfect and incomplete,” Apple said in a statement. “It’s possible that some Apple threat notifications may be false alarms, or that some attacks are not detected. We are unable to provide information about what causes us to issue threat notifications, as that may help state-sponsored attackers adapt their behavior to evade detection in the future,” it added. Also read | Pegasus snooping row: Apple files lawsuit against Israel's NSO Apple has listed out some best practices for all users to better protect themselves from any malware or cyberattacks: Update devices to the latest software, as that includes the latest security fixes Protect devices with a passcode Use two-factor authentication and a strong password for Apple ID Install apps from the App Store Use strong and unique passwords online Don’t click on links or attachments from unknown senders The latest move by the Cupertino-based tech behemoth comes after it filed a lawsuit against the Israel-based NSO Group, following revelations that it licensed its Pegasus software to governments and other nation-state clients to snoop on people. Mounting more trouble for the NSO group, the United States has blacklisted the firm, restricting exports from American groups over claims that the Israeli firm “enabled foreign governments to conduct transnational repression.” The NSO has consistently denied any wrongdoing and insisted its software is intended only for use by authorities in combating terrorism and other crimes. "Pedophiles and terrorists can freely operate in technological safe-havens, and we provide governments the lawful tools to fight it. NSO group will continue to advocate for the truth," the firm said in a statement. (With inputs from agencies)

Pegasus snooping effect: Apple to alert users whenever iPhones get hacked by spyware

Israel's Foreign Minister Yair Lapid distanced the government from the NSO Group, a firm blacklisted this week by the United States over alleged misuse of its phone-hacking spyware.

Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid distances government from blacklisted NSO Group

The mobile phones of at least five French ministers and a diplomatic advisor to President Emmanuel Macron were infected by the Israeli-made Pegasus spyware, sources told AFP on Friday, confirming a report by the Mediapart investigative website.

French security services detected the software while inspecting the phones, with the intrusions believed to have taken place in 2019 and 2020, according to the report from Mediapart on Friday.&nbsp;

Pegasus, made by the Israeli firm NSO Group, can switch on a phone's camera or microphone and harvest its data, and was at the centre of a storm in July after a list of about 50,000 potential surveillance targets worldwide was leaked to the media.

The media consortium behind the revelations, including The Washington Post, The Guardian and France's Le Monde, reported at the time that one of Macron's phone numbers and those of many French cabinet ministers were on the leaked list of potential targets.

French authorities declined to comment on Friday.

The five ministers targeted are Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer, Territorial Cohesion Minister Jacqueline Gourault, Agriculture Minister Julien Denormandie, Housing Minister Emmanuelle Wargon and Overseas Territories Minister Sebastien Lecornu, Mediapart said.

Two French sources with knowledge of the investigation confirmed the veracity of the report, while asking not to be identified by name because they were not authorised to speak to the media.

"My phone is one of those checked out by the national IT systems security agency, but I haven't yet heard anything about the investigation so I cannot comment at this stage," Wargon told the L'Opinion website Friday.

One of her aides told AFP that "the minister doesn't have access to any state secrets, so we can't really see the point of spying on her."

In July, Le Monde reported that evidence of an attempted hacking was found on the phone of the former environment minister and close Macron ally Francois de Rugy, with the attempt allegedly originating in Morocco.

Morocco's intelligence services were also accused of being behind the hacking of journalists in France, but the kingdom's government has denied the claims and launched legal action alleging defamation.&nbsp;

The mobile phones of at least five French ministers and a diplomatic advisor to President Emmanuel Macron were infected by the Israeli-made Pegasus spyware, sources told AFP on Friday, confirming a report by the Mediapart investigative website.

The mobile phones of at least five French ministers and a diplomatic advisor to President Emmanuel Macron were infected by the Israeli-made Pegasus spyware, sources told AFP on Friday, confirming a report by the Mediapart investigative website. French security services detected the software while inspecting the phones, with the intrusions believed to have taken place in 2019 and 2020, according to the report from Mediapart on Friday. Pegasus, made by the Israeli firm NSO Group, can switch on a phone's camera or microphone and harvest its data, and was at the centre of a storm in July after a list of about 50,000 potential surveillance targets worldwide was leaked to the media. The media consortium behind the revelations, including The Washington Post, The Guardian and France's Le Monde, reported at the time that one of Macron's phone numbers and those of many French cabinet ministers were on the leaked list of potential targets. French authorities declined to comment on Friday. The five ministers targeted are Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer, Territorial Cohesion Minister Jacqueline Gourault, Agriculture Minister Julien Denormandie, Housing Minister Emmanuelle Wargon and Overseas Territories Minister Sebastien Lecornu, Mediapart said. Two French sources with knowledge of the investigation confirmed the veracity of the report, while asking not to be identified by name because they were not authorised to speak to the media. "My phone is one of those checked out by the national IT systems security agency, but I haven't yet heard anything about the investigation so I cannot comment at this stage," Wargon told the L'Opinion website Friday. One of her aides told AFP that "the minister doesn't have access to any state secrets, so we can't really see the point of spying on her." In July, Le Monde reported that evidence of an attempted hacking was found on the phone of the former environment minister and close Macron ally Francois de Rugy, with the attempt allegedly originating in Morocco. Morocco's intelligence services were also accused of being behind the hacking of journalists in France, but the kingdom's government has denied the claims and launched legal action alleging defamation.

Five French Ministers targeted by Israel's Pegasus spyware, says report

Apple issued emergency software updates for a critical vulnerability in its products on Monday after security researchers uncovered a flaw that allows highly invasive spyware from Israel’s NSO Group to infect anyone’s iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch or Mac computer without so much as a click.

Apple’s security team had worked around the clock to develop a fix since Tuesday, after researchers at Citizen Lab, a cybersecurity watchdog organisation at the University of Toronto, discovered that a Saudi activist’s iPhone had been infected with an advanced form of spyware from NSO.

The spyware, called Pegasus, used a novel method to invisibly infect Apple devices without victims’ knowledge. Known as a “zero click remote exploit,” it is considered the holy grail of surveillance because it allows governments, mercenaries and criminals to secretly break into someone’s device without tipping the victim off.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/whats-the-difference-netizens-wonder-as-new-iphone-13-is-almost-like-iphone-12-413210" hreflang="en">What's the difference? Netizens wonder as new iPhone 13 is almost like iPhone 12</a>

Using the zero-click infection method, Pegasus can turn on a user’s camera and microphone, record messages, texts, emails, calls — even those sent via encrypted messaging and phone apps like Signal — and send them back to NSO’s clients at governments around the world.

“This spyware can do everything an iPhone user can do on their device and more,” said John Scott-Railton, a senior researcher at Citizen Lab, who teamed up with Bill Marczak, a senior research fellow at Citizen Lab, on the finding.

The discovery means that more than 1.65 billion Apple products in use worldwide have been vulnerable to NSO’s spyware since at least March. It signals a serious escalation in the cybersecurity arms race, with governments willing to pay whatever it takes to spy on digital communications en masse, and with tech companies, human rights activists and others racing to uncover and fix the latest vulnerabilities that enable such surveillance.

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In the past, victims learned their devices were infected by spyware only after receiving a suspicious link texted to their phone or email, and sharing the link with journalists or cybersecurity experts. But NSO’s zero-click capability meant victims received no such prompt, and the flaw enabled full access to a person’s digital life. Such abilities can fetch millions of dollars on the underground market for hacking tools, where governments are not regulators but are clients and are among the most lucrative spenders.

On Monday, Ivan Krstić, Apple’s head of security engineering and architecture commended Citizen Lab for its findings and urged customers to run the latest software updates for the fixes to take effect, by installing iOS 14.8, MacOS 11.6 and WatchOS 7.6.2.

“Attacks like the ones described are highly sophisticated, cost millions of dollars to develop, often have a short shelf life and are used to target specific individuals,” Krstić said.

Apple has said it plans to introduce new security defenses for iMessage, Apple’s texting application, in its next iOS 15 software update, expected later this year.

NSO did not immediately respond to inquiries Monday.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/will-india-bite-into-apples-new-offerings-413241" hreflang="en">Will India bite into Apple's new offerings?</a>

NSO has long drawn controversy. The company has said that it sells its spyware only to governments that meet strict human rights standards and that it expressly requires customers to agree to use its spyware only to track terrorists or criminals.

But over the past six years, NSO’s Pegasus spyware has turned up on the phones of activists, dissidents, lawyers, doctors, nutritionists and even children in countries like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Mexico.

Starting in 2016, a series of New York Times investigations revealed the presence of NSO’s spyware on the iPhones of Emirati activists lobbying for expanded voting rights; Mexican nutritionists lobbying for a national soda tax; lawyers looking into the mass disappearance of 43 Mexican students; academics who helped write anti-corruption legislation; journalists in Mexico and England; and an American representing victims of sexual abuse by Mexico’s police.

In July, NSO became the subject of further scrutiny after Amnesty International, the human rights watchdog, and Forbidden Stories, a group that focuses on free speech, teamed up with a consortium of media organisations on “The Pegasus Project” to publish a list of 50,000 phone numbers, including some used by journalists, government leaders, dissidents and activists, that they said had been selected as targets by NSO’s clients.

The consortium did not disclose how it had obtained the list, and it was unclear whether the list was aspirational or whether the people had actually been targeted with NSO spyware.

Among those listed were Azam Ahmed, who had been the Mexico City bureau chief for The Times and who has reported widely on corruption, violence and surveillance in Latin America, including on NSO itself; and Ben Hubbard, The Times’ bureau chief in Beirut, who has investigated rights abuses and corruption in Saudi Arabia and wrote a recent biography of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

It also included 14 heads of state, including President Emmanuel Macron of France, President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly of Egypt, Prime Minister Imran Khan of Pakistan, Saad-Eddine El Othmani, who until recently was the prime minister of Morocco, and Charles Michel, the head of the European Council.

Shalev Hulio, a co-founder of NSO Group, vehemently denied the list’s accuracy, telling The Times, “This is like opening up the white pages, choosing 50,000 numbers and drawing some conclusion from it.”

This year marks a record for the discovery of so-called zero days, secret software flaws like the one that NSO used to install its spyware. This year, Chinese hackers were caught using zero days in Microsoft Exchange to steal emails and plant ransomware. In July, ransomware criminals used a zero day in software sold by the tech company Kaseya to bring down the networks of some 1,000 companies.

For years, the spyware industry has been a black box. Sales of spyware are locked up in nondisclosure agreements and are frequently rolled into classified programs, with limited, if any, oversight.

NSO’s clients previously infected their targets using text messages that cajoled victims into clicking on links. Those links made it possible for journalists and researchers at organisations like Citizen Lab to investigate the possible presence of spyware. But NSO’s new zero-click method makes the discovery of spyware by journalists and cybersecurity researchers much harder.

“The commercial spyware industry is going darker,” said Marczak, the Citizen Lab researcher.

Marczak said he was first approached by the Saudi activist in March. But it was only last week that he was able to parse evidence from the activist’s phone and uncover digital crumbs similar to those on the iPhones of other Pegasus targets.

Marczak said he found that the Saudi activist, who declined to be identified, had received an image. That image, which was invisible to the user, exploited a vulnerability in the way that Apple processes images and allowed the Pegasus spyware to be quietly downloaded onto Apple devices. With the victim none the wiser, his or her most sensitive communications, data and passwords were siphoned off to servers at intelligence and law-enforcement agencies around the globe.

Citizen Lab said the scale and scope of the operation was unclear. Marczak said, based on the timing of his discovery of Pegasus on the Saudi activist’s iPhone and other iPhones in March, it was safe to say the spyware had been siphoning data from Apple devices for at least six months.

The zero-click exploit, which Citizen Lab dubbed “Forcedentry,” was among the most sophisticated exploits discovered by forensics researchers. In 2019, researchers uncovered that a similar NSO zero-click exploit had been deployed against 1,400 users of WhatsApp, the Facebook messaging service. Last year, Citizen Lab found a digital trail suggesting NSO may have a zero-click exploit to read Apple iMessages, but researchers never discovered the full exploit.

NSO was long suspected of having a zero-click capability. A 2015 hack of one of NSO’s chief competitors, Hacking Team, a Milan-based spyware outfit, revealed emails showing Hacking Team executives scrambling to match a remote, zero-click exploit that its customers claimed NSO had developed. That same year, a Times reporter obtained NSO marketing materials for prospective new clients that mentioned a remote, zero-click capability.

Proof of the capability never turned up.

“Today was the proof,” Marczak said.

orcedentry was the first time that researchers successfully recovered a full, zero-click exploit on the phones of activists and dissidents. When such discoveries are revealed, governments and cybercriminals typically try to exploit vulnerable systems before users have a chance to patch them, making timely patching critical.

Scott-Railton urged Apple customers to run their software updates immediately.

“Do you own an Apple product? Update it today,” he said.

Apple issued emergency software updates for a critical vulnerability in its products on Monday after security researchers uncovered a flaw that allows highly invasive spyware from Israel’s NSO Group to infect anyone’s iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch or Mac computer without so much as a click.

Apple issued emergency software updates for a critical vulnerability in its products on Monday after security researchers uncovered a flaw that allows highly invasive spyware from Israel’s NSO Group to infect anyone’s iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch or Mac computer without so much as a click. Apple’s security team had worked around the clock to develop a fix since Tuesday, after researchers at Citizen Lab, a cybersecurity watchdog organisation at the University of Toronto, discovered that a Saudi activist’s iPhone had been infected with an advanced form of spyware from NSO. The spyware, called Pegasus, used a novel method to invisibly infect Apple devices without victims’ knowledge. Known as a “zero click remote exploit,” it is considered the holy grail of surveillance because it allows governments, mercenaries and criminals to secretly break into someone’s device without tipping the victim off. Also read | What's the difference? Netizens wonder as new iPhone 13 is almost like iPhone 12 Using the zero-click infection method, Pegasus can turn on a user’s camera and microphone, record messages, texts, emails, calls — even those sent via encrypted messaging and phone apps like Signal — and send them back to NSO’s clients at governments around the world. “This spyware can do everything an iPhone user can do on their device and more,” said John Scott-Railton, a senior researcher at Citizen Lab, who teamed up with Bill Marczak, a senior research fellow at Citizen Lab, on the finding. The discovery means that more than 1.65 billion Apple products in use worldwide have been vulnerable to NSO’s spyware since at least March. It signals a serious escalation in the cybersecurity arms race, with governments willing to pay whatever it takes to spy on digital communications en masse, and with tech companies, human rights activists and others racing to uncover and fix the latest vulnerabilities that enable such surveillance. Also read | Smart glasses made google look dumb. Now Facebook is giving them a try. In the past, victims learned their devices were infected by spyware only after receiving a suspicious link texted to their phone or email, and sharing the link with journalists or cybersecurity experts. But NSO’s zero-click capability meant victims received no such prompt, and the flaw enabled full access to a person’s digital life. Such abilities can fetch millions of dollars on the underground market for hacking tools, where governments are not regulators but are clients and are among the most lucrative spenders. On Monday, Ivan Krstić, Apple’s head of security engineering and architecture commended Citizen Lab for its findings and urged customers to run the latest software updates for the fixes to take effect, by installing iOS 14.8, MacOS 11.6 and WatchOS 7.6.2. “Attacks like the ones described are highly sophisticated, cost millions of dollars to develop, often have a short shelf life and are used to target specific individuals,” Krstić said. Apple has said it plans to introduce new security defenses for iMessage, Apple’s texting application, in its next iOS 15 software update, expected later this year. NSO did not immediately respond to inquiries Monday. Also read | Will India bite into Apple's new offerings? NSO has long drawn controversy. The company has said that it sells its spyware only to governments that meet strict human rights standards and that it expressly requires customers to agree to use its spyware only to track terrorists or criminals. But over the past six years, NSO’s Pegasus spyware has turned up on the phones of activists, dissidents, lawyers, doctors, nutritionists and even children in countries like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Mexico. Starting in 2016, a series of New York Times investigations revealed the presence of NSO’s spyware on the iPhones of Emirati activists lobbying for expanded voting rights; Mexican nutritionists lobbying for a national soda tax; lawyers looking into the mass disappearance of 43 Mexican students; academics who helped write anti-corruption legislation; journalists in Mexico and England; and an American representing victims of sexual abuse by Mexico’s police. In July, NSO became the subject of further scrutiny after Amnesty International, the human rights watchdog, and Forbidden Stories, a group that focuses on free speech, teamed up with a consortium of media organisations on “The Pegasus Project” to publish a list of 50,000 phone numbers, including some used by journalists, government leaders, dissidents and activists, that they said had been selected as targets by NSO’s clients. The consortium did not disclose how it had obtained the list, and it was unclear whether the list was aspirational or whether the people had actually been targeted with NSO spyware. Among those listed were Azam Ahmed, who had been the Mexico City bureau chief for The Times and who has reported widely on corruption, violence and surveillance in Latin America, including on NSO itself; and Ben Hubbard, The Times’ bureau chief in Beirut, who has investigated rights abuses and corruption in Saudi Arabia and wrote a recent biography of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. It also included 14 heads of state, including President Emmanuel Macron of France, President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly of Egypt, Prime Minister Imran Khan of Pakistan, Saad-Eddine El Othmani, who until recently was the prime minister of Morocco, and Charles Michel, the head of the European Council. Shalev Hulio, a co-founder of NSO Group, vehemently denied the list’s accuracy, telling The Times, “This is like opening up the white pages, choosing 50,000 numbers and drawing some conclusion from it.” This year marks a record for the discovery of so-called zero days, secret software flaws like the one that NSO used to install its spyware. This year, Chinese hackers were caught using zero days in Microsoft Exchange to steal emails and plant ransomware. In July, ransomware criminals used a zero day in software sold by the tech company Kaseya to bring down the networks of some 1,000 companies. For years, the spyware industry has been a black box. Sales of spyware are locked up in nondisclosure agreements and are frequently rolled into classified programs, with limited, if any, oversight. NSO’s clients previously infected their targets using text messages that cajoled victims into clicking on links. Those links made it possible for journalists and researchers at organisations like Citizen Lab to investigate the possible presence of spyware. But NSO’s new zero-click method makes the discovery of spyware by journalists and cybersecurity researchers much harder. “The commercial spyware industry is going darker,” said Marczak, the Citizen Lab researcher. Marczak said he was first approached by the Saudi activist in March. But it was only last week that he was able to parse evidence from the activist’s phone and uncover digital crumbs similar to those on the iPhones of other Pegasus targets. Marczak said he found that the Saudi activist, who declined to be identified, had received an image. That image, which was invisible to the user, exploited a vulnerability in the way that Apple processes images and allowed the Pegasus spyware to be quietly downloaded onto Apple devices. With the victim none the wiser, his or her most sensitive communications, data and passwords were siphoned off to servers at intelligence and law-enforcement agencies around the globe. Citizen Lab said the scale and scope of the operation was unclear. Marczak said, based on the timing of his discovery of Pegasus on the Saudi activist’s iPhone and other iPhones in March, it was safe to say the spyware had been siphoning data from Apple devices for at least six months. The zero-click exploit, which Citizen Lab dubbed “Forcedentry,” was among the most sophisticated exploits discovered by forensics researchers. In 2019, researchers uncovered that a similar NSO zero-click exploit had been deployed against 1,400 users of WhatsApp, the Facebook messaging service. Last year, Citizen Lab found a digital trail suggesting NSO may have a zero-click exploit to read Apple iMessages, but researchers never discovered the full exploit. NSO was long suspected of having a zero-click capability. A 2015 hack of one of NSO’s chief competitors, Hacking Team, a Milan-based spyware outfit, revealed emails showing Hacking Team executives scrambling to match a remote, zero-click exploit that its customers claimed NSO had developed. That same year, a Times reporter obtained NSO marketing materials for prospective new clients that mentioned a remote, zero-click capability. Proof of the capability never turned up. “Today was the proof,” Marczak said. orcedentry was the first time that researchers successfully recovered a full, zero-click exploit on the phones of activists and dissidents. When such discoveries are revealed, governments and cybercriminals typically try to exploit vulnerable systems before users have a chance to patch them, making timely patching critical. Scott-Railton urged Apple customers to run their software updates immediately. “Do you own an Apple product? Update it today,” he said.

Apple issues emergency security updates to close a spyware flaw

In a revelation on Tuesday, the federal government said that the German Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) had bought notorious Pegasus spyware from the Israeli firm NSO in 2019. &nbsp;&nbsp;

In a closed-doors session, the government informed the Interior Committee of the Bundestag about the purchase, sources in the parliament said. It confirmed the earlier reports, which were published in German newspaper ‘Die Zeit’, about the matter. &nbsp;

According to ‘Die Zeit’, the software was procured under "the utmost secrecy". The move was taken despite the hesitations of lawyers as the surveillance tool can do much more than German privacy laws permit. &nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Iran enriches production of highly enriched uranium

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To prevent abuse, the version purchased by the BKA had certain functions blocked, security circles told the paper. Although it is unclear how that works on a practical level. &nbsp;

The revelations came after a joint research by Die Zeit as well as daily Süddeutsche Zeitung and public broadcasters NDR and WDR. &nbsp;

BKA Vice President Martina Link confirmed to lawmakers that her organisation had purchased the software, said the Süddeutsche Zeitung report. &nbsp;&nbsp;

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In 2020, the police force acquired a version of the Pegasus Trojan virus software, which was being used in select operations, concerning terrorism and organised crime since March this year. &nbsp;

As per Germany's Federal Constitutional Court ruling, security services are only permitted to use spyware on the cellphones and computers of surveillance targets in special cases, and can only initiate certain types of operations.&nbsp;

In a revelation on Tuesday, the federal government said that the German Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) had bought notorious Pegasus spyware from the Israeli firm NSO in 2019.

In a revelation on Tuesday, the federal government said that the German Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) had bought notorious Pegasus spyware from the Israeli firm NSO in 2019. In a closed-doors session, the government informed the Interior Committee of the Bundestag about the purchase, sources in the parliament said. It confirmed the earlier reports, which were published in German newspaper ‘Die Zeit’, about the matter. According to ‘Die Zeit’, the software was procured under "the utmost secrecy". The move was taken despite the hesitations of lawyers as the surveillance tool can do much more than German privacy laws permit. Watch: Iran enriches production of highly enriched uranium × To prevent abuse, the version purchased by the BKA had certain functions blocked, security circles told the paper. Although it is unclear how that works on a practical level. The revelations came after a joint research by Die Zeit as well as daily Süddeutsche Zeitung and public broadcasters NDR and WDR. BKA Vice President Martina Link confirmed to lawmakers that her organisation had purchased the software, said the Süddeutsche Zeitung report. Also Read: Can Biden save his presidency? In 2020, the police force acquired a version of the Pegasus Trojan virus software, which was being used in select operations, concerning terrorism and organised crime since March this year. As per Germany's Federal Constitutional Court ruling, security services are only permitted to use spyware on the cellphones and computers of surveillance targets in special cases, and can only initiate certain types of operations.

NSO's notorious Pegasus spyware secretly bought by police in Germany: Reports

Israel's Defence Minister Benny Gantz told his French counterpart his country took "seriously" espionage allegations concerning the Pegasus software developed by Israeli firm NSO that is suspected of targeting President Emmanuel Macron and other French officials.

Gantz addressed the NSO issue when he met French Defence Minister Florence Parly and said that "Israel is taking the allegations seriously," according to an Israeli defence ministry statement.

"He noted that the State of Israel approves the export of cyber products exclusively to governmental entities, for lawful use and only for the purpose of preventing and investigating crime and counter terrorism," the statement added.

"He also informed Minister Parly that officials visited NSO’s office today and that Israel is investigating the allegations thoroughly."

Parly told Gantz of the "clarifications which are expected today by France and on which depend the trust and mutual respect of our two countries," her ministry said, adding it was the first meeting of the two countries' defence ministers since 2013.

Parly, a defence ministry source said Tuesday, aimed "to find out what knowledge the Israeli government had of the activities of NSO's clients, and what arrangements were put in place -- and will be in the future -- to prevent these highly intrusive tools being hijacked."

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Pegasus can switch on a phone's camera or microphone and harvest its data, and is at the centre of a storm after a list of about 50,000 potential surveillance targets worldwide was leaked to&nbsp;human rights groups.

'Verification' under way

Amnesty International and French media nonprofit, Forbidden Stories, collaborated with a clutch of media companies, including The Washington Post, The Guardian and Le Monde, to analyse and publish the list.&nbsp;

Macron had to change his phone and number.

Israel's defence establishment has set up a committee to review NSO's business, including the process through which export licences are granted.

Pegasus's list of alleged targets includes at least 600 politicians, 180 journalists, 85 human rights activists and 65 business leaders.

NSO insists its software is intended for use only in fighting terrorism and other crimes, and says it exports to 45 countries.

Le Monde newspaper and Radio France said Macron's phone numbers and those of former prime minister Edouard Philippe, as well as 14 government members including foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, were on the list of numbers chosen by a Moroccan state security service that used Pegasus for a possible hack.

"If these facts are confirmed... we will consider all the consequences, but first it must be proven they are confirmed," government spokesman Gabriel Attal said after a cabinet meeting, adding that "verification" was under way.

Frequently accused of aiding authoritarian regimes, NSO insists its Pegasus software serves only in theory to obtain intelligence on criminal networks and terrorists.

Gantz also discussed the Iran nuclear issue as well as concerns about weapons deliveries to Lebanon, his ministry said.

He also met with Bernard Emie, the head of France's foreign intelligence service DGSE.

Israel's Defence Minister Benny Gantz told his French counterpart his country took "seriously" espionage allegations concerning the Pegasus software developed by Israeli firm NSO that is suspected of targeting President Emmanuel Macron and other French officials.

Israel's Defence Minister Benny Gantz told his French counterpart his country took "seriously" espionage allegations concerning the Pegasus software developed by Israeli firm NSO that is suspected of targeting President Emmanuel Macron and other French officials. Gantz addressed the NSO issue when he met French Defence Minister Florence Parly and said that "Israel is taking the allegations seriously," according to an Israeli defence ministry statement. "He noted that the State of Israel approves the export of cyber products exclusively to governmental entities, for lawful use and only for the purpose of preventing and investigating crime and counter terrorism," the statement added. "He also informed Minister Parly that officials visited NSO’s office today and that Israel is investigating the allegations thoroughly." Parly told Gantz of the "clarifications which are expected today by France and on which depend the trust and mutual respect of our two countries," her ministry said, adding it was the first meeting of the two countries' defence ministers since 2013. Parly, a defence ministry source said Tuesday, aimed "to find out what knowledge the Israeli government had of the activities of NSO's clients, and what arrangements were put in place -- and will be in the future -- to prevent these highly intrusive tools being hijacked." Also read | Israel's Knesset to vote on new government, end Netanyahu's record reign Pegasus can switch on a phone's camera or microphone and harvest its data, and is at the centre of a storm after a list of about 50,000 potential surveillance targets worldwide was leaked to human rights groups. 'Verification' under way Amnesty International and French media nonprofit, Forbidden Stories, collaborated with a clutch of media companies, including The Washington Post, The Guardian and Le Monde, to analyse and publish the list. Macron had to change his phone and number. Israel's defence establishment has set up a committee to review NSO's business, including the process through which export licences are granted. Pegasus's list of alleged targets includes at least 600 politicians, 180 journalists, 85 human rights activists and 65 business leaders. NSO insists its software is intended for use only in fighting terrorism and other crimes, and says it exports to 45 countries. Le Monde newspaper and Radio France said Macron's phone numbers and those of former prime minister Edouard Philippe, as well as 14 government members including foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, were on the list of numbers chosen by a Moroccan state security service that used Pegasus for a possible hack. "If these facts are confirmed... we will consider all the consequences, but first it must be proven they are confirmed," government spokesman Gabriel Attal said after a cabinet meeting, adding that "verification" was under way. Frequently accused of aiding authoritarian regimes, NSO insists its Pegasus software serves only in theory to obtain intelligence on criminal networks and terrorists. Gantz also discussed the Iran nuclear issue as well as concerns about weapons deliveries to Lebanon, his ministry said. He also met with Bernard Emie, the head of France's foreign intelligence service DGSE.

Israel tells France it takes spyware scandal seriously

Algeria on Thursday expressed "deep concern" following press reports that it may have been the target of the Israeli-made Pegasus spyware as it launched a probe.

The foreign ministry denounced what it termed an &nbsp;"inadmissible, systematic attack on human rights and fundamental freedoms" and singled out neighbouring Morocco for "spying on Algerian officials and citizens".

Morocco and Algeria have repeatedly sparred over the disputed region of Western Sahara, which Morocco considers an integral part of its territory while Algeria backs the pro-independence Polisario movement.

Relations between the two neighbours soured again on Sunday after Algeria recalled its ambassador in Morocco for consultations after Morocco's envoy to the United Nations expressed support for self-determination for Algeria's restless Kabylie region.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/morning-news-brief-pegasus-row-afghanistan-taliban-tokyo-olympics-and-more-399600">Also read |&nbsp;&nbsp;Morning News Brief: Pegasus row, Afghanistan-Taliban, Tokyo Olympics and more</a>

News outlets, including Le Monde and the Washington Post, had reported on Sunday that the software, developed by Israeli firm NSO Group, had been used by governments to spy on activists, journalists, lawyers and politicians around the world.

The bombshell claims were based on a document leaked to Forbidden Stories, a Paris-based media nonprofit, and Amnesty International.

It contained 50,000 telephone numbers of people identified as potential targets via Pegasus between 2016 and June 2021.&nbsp;

Many numbers on the list were clustered in 10 countries including Morocco.

Morocco said on Monday it "categorically rejects" claims its intelligence services used Pegasus to monitor critics at home and abroad.

It also filed a defamation claim against Amnesty International and the French NGO, due to allegations its intelligence services used Pegasus against dozens of French journalists.

Algeria on Thursday expressed "deep concern" following press reports that it may have been the target of the Israeli-made Pegasus spyware as it launched a probe.

Algeria on Thursday expressed "deep concern" following press reports that it may have been the target of the Israeli-made Pegasus spyware as it launched a probe. The foreign ministry denounced what it termed an "inadmissible, systematic attack on human rights and fundamental freedoms" and singled out neighbouring Morocco for "spying on Algerian officials and citizens". Morocco and Algeria have repeatedly sparred over the disputed region of Western Sahara, which Morocco considers an integral part of its territory while Algeria backs the pro-independence Polisario movement. Relations between the two neighbours soured again on Sunday after Algeria recalled its ambassador in Morocco for consultations after Morocco's envoy to the United Nations expressed support for self-determination for Algeria's restless Kabylie region. Also read | Morning News Brief: Pegasus row, Afghanistan-Taliban, Tokyo Olympics and more News outlets, including Le Monde and the Washington Post, had reported on Sunday that the software, developed by Israeli firm NSO Group, had been used by governments to spy on activists, journalists, lawyers and politicians around the world. The bombshell claims were based on a document leaked to Forbidden Stories, a Paris-based media nonprofit, and Amnesty International. It contained 50,000 telephone numbers of people identified as potential targets via Pegasus between 2016 and June 2021. Many numbers on the list were clustered in 10 countries including Morocco. Morocco said on Monday it "categorically rejects" claims its intelligence services used Pegasus to monitor critics at home and abroad. It also filed a defamation claim against Amnesty International and the French NGO, due to allegations its intelligence services used Pegasus against dozens of French journalists.

Algeria launches probe into Pegasus spyware claim

The Pegasus spyware is again at the centre of a major controversy. On Sunday, July 18, it was widely reported that documents acquired and evaluated by a international media collaboration showed a list of phone numbers that are claimed to have been potentially targeted for surveillance by an unidentified agency using the Pegasus spyware. It is reported that over 40 journalists in India were targeted alongside a few other public figures like politicians and activists. While this is a developing story, it is paramount to understand the software, its history and how it can hack into your smartphone to completely compromise your information.

Explainer: What is Pegasus spyware? How does it hack into your phone to spy on you?

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