Israel's technology firm NSO has been accused of using its cyber spyware Pegasus to surveil journalists globally. The latest findings are part of a global investigation called the Pegasus project.

Israel's NSO accused of using Pegasus for spying

After banning “stalkerware” applications from its Play Store, Google is now banning any advertisement or promotion of apps and links that facilitate in any snooping activity.&nbsp;The apps and softwares in question allow one to snoop on a person without their authorisation.

Earlier this week, Google released an advertisement policy update, which claimed that beginning August 11, no ads for such services and products, directly aimed to secretly monitor someone would be permitted.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/technology/survey-says-amazon-google-pump-millions-into-websites-spreading-misinformation-about-covid-19-311753" hreflang="en">Survey says Amazon, Google pump millions into websites spreading misinformation about COVID-19</a>

“Spyware and technology used for intimate partner surveillance including but not limited to spyware/malware that can be used to monitor texts, phone calls, or browsing history; GPS trackers specifically marketed to spy or track someone without their consent; promotion of surveillance equipment (cameras, audio recorders, dash cams, nanny cams) marketed with the express purpose of spying”, the company noted.

No more snooping

In essence, no more snooping. However, this move will not disrupt private investigations and child monitoring undertaken by parents.

A study from 2018 pointed out the portal hosted stalkerware software. These ads were targeting people who wanted to stalk their partners. Since then, the company has stepped up efforts to control stalking of people without their authorisation.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/technology/facebook-google-twitter-block-hong-kong-govt-from-accessing-user-data-311243" hreflang="en">Facebook, Google, Twitter block Hong Kong govt from accessing user data</a>

The company has been working hard to eradicate these illegal spying tools, with no such app permitted on the Play Store. Additionally, it continues to identify batches of apps that surface from time to time, and then removed from the store.

Most of these ads were pegged around the theme of catching one’s partner cheating, or to access their phones without their knowledge, especially aimed to attract male costumers.&nbsp;Men are twice more likely than women to snoop on their partners through such means. A study by Norton found that over half of Americans have admitted to stalking their partners through such illegal tools, especially to track the online activity and location of their partners.&nbsp;

If advertisers are found breaking this policy, their accounts will be suspended with a seven-day warning.

After banning “stalkerware” applications from its Play Store, Google is now banning any advertisement or promotion of apps and links that facilitate in any snooping activity.

After banning “stalkerware” applications from its Play Store, Google is now banning any advertisement or promotion of apps and links that facilitate in any snooping activity. The apps and softwares in question allow one to snoop on a person without their authorisation. Earlier this week, Google released an advertisement policy update, which claimed that beginning August 11, no ads for such services and products, directly aimed to secretly monitor someone would be permitted. Also read: Survey says Amazon, Google pump millions into websites spreading misinformation about COVID-19 “Spyware and technology used for intimate partner surveillance including but not limited to spyware/malware that can be used to monitor texts, phone calls, or browsing history; GPS trackers specifically marketed to spy or track someone without their consent; promotion of surveillance equipment (cameras, audio recorders, dash cams, nanny cams) marketed with the express purpose of spying”, the company noted. No more snooping In essence, no more snooping. However, this move will not disrupt private investigations and child monitoring undertaken by parents. A study from 2018 pointed out the portal hosted stalkerware software. These ads were targeting people who wanted to stalk their partners. Since then, the company has stepped up efforts to control stalking of people without their authorisation. Also read: Facebook, Google, Twitter block Hong Kong govt from accessing user data The company has been working hard to eradicate these illegal spying tools, with no such app permitted on the Play Store. Additionally, it continues to identify batches of apps that surface from time to time, and then removed from the store. Most of these ads were pegged around the theme of catching one’s partner cheating, or to access their phones without their knowledge, especially aimed to attract male costumers. Men are twice more likely than women to snoop on their partners through such means. A study by Norton found that over half of Americans have admitted to stalking their partners through such illegal tools, especially to track the online activity and location of their partners. If advertisers are found breaking this policy, their accounts will be suspended with a seven-day warning.

Google bans ads of 'stalkerware' used for unauthorised spying

WION tracks down Israeli Firm NSO and breaks down how Pegasus broke into WhatsApp. WION is first Indian Channel at NSO office.

WION breaks down how Pegasus broke into WhatsApp

Watch in WION Dispatch: Govt held two meetings with WhatsApp over spyware, it could be itself part of the conspiracy. Only names of govt critics have been surfaced. Watch this video to know more.

Govt sources: Govt held two meetings with WhatsApp, it could be itself part of conspiracy | WION Dispatch

The Indian government has asked WhatsApp for an explanation on the snowballing snooping scandal.

The information technology ministry has asked for a detailed response from WhatsApp on the issue of Israeli spyware that allegedly targeted Indian journalists and human rights activists through its platform.

The ministry has written to the Facebook-owned messaging company, seeking its response on the matter.

Facebook owned-WhatsApp had earlier confirmed that Indian journalists and human rights activists were among those globally spied upon by Israeli spyware called Pegasus.

The journalists and activists are believed to have been targets of surveillance for two weeks until May when the national election was held.

The users were informed about the hacking spree just before Facebook sued the Israeli cybersecurity company NSO on Tuesday. WhatsApp's parent company Facebook has alleged that NSO had spread malware to around one thousand and four hundred users across twenty countries.

However, it did not say on whose behest the phones of journalists and activists across the world were targeted.

India's technology minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has put out a tweet explaining the govt position on the WhatsApp spyware attack controversy. The minister has said that WhatsApp has been asked to explain the nature of the breach and the steps being taken to protect the privacy of Indians using the social media platform.

He has gone on to say that there is a proper procedure &amp; protocols in place for an interception which needs sanction from senior-level authorities for clearly stated reasons for national interests.

Now, WhatsApp has been asked to submit a reply by November 4.

WhatsApp has over 1.5 billion users globally, of which India alone has accounted for about 400 million users.

The Indian government has asked WhatsApp for an explanation on the snowballing snooping scandal. The information technology ministry has asked for a detailed response from WhatsApp on the issue of Israeli spyware that allegedly targeted Indian journalists and human rights activists through its platform.

The Indian government has asked WhatsApp for an explanation on the snowballing snooping scandal. The information technology ministry has asked for a detailed response from WhatsApp on the issue of Israeli spyware that allegedly targeted Indian journalists and human rights activists through its platform. The ministry has written to the Facebook-owned messaging company, seeking its response on the matter. Facebook owned-WhatsApp had earlier confirmed that Indian journalists and human rights activists were among those globally spied upon by Israeli spyware called Pegasus. The journalists and activists are believed to have been targets of surveillance for two weeks until May when the national election was held. The users were informed about the hacking spree just before Facebook sued the Israeli cybersecurity company NSO on Tuesday. WhatsApp's parent company Facebook has alleged that NSO had spread malware to around one thousand and four hundred users across twenty countries. However, it did not say on whose behest the phones of journalists and activists across the world were targeted. India's technology minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has put out a tweet explaining the govt position on the WhatsApp spyware attack controversy. The minister has said that WhatsApp has been asked to explain the nature of the breach and the steps being taken to protect the privacy of Indians using the social media platform. He has gone on to say that there is a proper procedure & protocols in place for an interception which needs sanction from senior-level authorities for clearly stated reasons for national interests. Now, WhatsApp has been asked to submit a reply by November 4. WhatsApp has over 1.5 billion users globally, of which India alone has accounted for about 400 million users.

Government asks explanation from WhatsApp over Israeli Spyware Pegasus

A vulnerability discovered in Facebook’s WhatsApp messaging app is being exploited to inject commercial spyware onto Android and iOS phones by simply calling the target. The spyware, reportedly developed by Israel’s secretive NSO group, can be installed without trace and without the target answering the call, according to security researchers and confirmed by WhatsApp.

WhatsApp voice calls used to inject spyware on phones

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