Pegasus spyware maker NSO has 22 contracts in European Union: Report
India Today
Pegasus spyware and competing products make it possible to infect the cell phone of the victim of surveillance, and afterwards enable the operator to eavesdrop on conversations, read apps with encrypted messages, and provide total access to contacts and files on the device.
Israeli technology firm NSO Group, which grabbed global attention, including in India, amid allegations of misuse of its controversial spyware Pegasus, apparently has a large presence in the European Union with at least 22 contracts covering 12 of the 27 member states, a media report said on Wednesday.
Pegasus spyware and competing products make it possible to infect the cell phone of the victim of surveillance, and afterwards enable the operator to eavesdrop on conversations, read apps with encrypted messages, and provide total access to contacts and files on the device.
It enables eavesdropping in real time on what is taking place around the cellphone by operating the camera and the microphone.
Representatives of the European Parliament Committee of Inquiry on Pegasus spyware recently visited Israel and learned from NSO personnel that the company has active contracts with 12 European Union members, the daily Ha'aretz reported.
The replies of the Israeli cyber warfare company to the committee’s questions, which were obtained by the newspaper, reveal that the company is now working with 22 security and enforcement organisations in the EU, it added.
The company's representatives in their conversations and exchanges with PTI have maintained that their spyware is used by "government clients" to target terrorists and other serious crimes.
Members of the European Parliament Committee of Inquiry who came to Israel are said to have been surprised to discover contracts with their countries of origin.
