NSO Group malware may have been used to access WhatsApp messages for ‘state-on-state’ espionageThe mobile phones of at least two dozen Pakistani government officials were allegedly targeted earlier this year with technology owned by the Israeli spyware company NSO Group, the Guardian has learned. The lawsuit claimed intended targets included “attorneys, journalists, human rights activists, political dissidents, diplomats, and other senior foreign government officials”. The alleged targeting of Pakistani officials gives a first insight into how NSO’s signature “Pegasus” spyware could have been used for “state-on-state” espionage. While it is not clear who wanted to target Pakistani government officials, the details are likely to fuel speculation that India could have been using NSO technology for domestic and international surveillance. NSO has not commented on whether it has pursued any internal investigations into the alleged WhatsApp hack.

Source: The Guardian December 19, 2019 13:57 UTC