#CommercialSpyware

In Other News: Salt Typhoon Hacks US ISPs, China Doxes Hackers, New Tool for AI Attacks

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September 27, 2024 at 10:21AM SecurityWeek’s cybersecurity news roundup offers a concise weekly compilation of noteworthy developments, including the publication of a Russian APT tool matrix, Telegram agreeing to share user information with law enforcement, new security and compliance offerings from Zoom, and various cybersecurity incidents involving AI chatbots, hacking groups, and commercial spyware. Here … Read more

Predator spyware kingpins added to US sanctions list

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September 17, 2024 at 09:46AM The US extends sanctions to five individuals and a company connected to Intellexa, a spyware developer. Intellexa’s Predator spyware enables unauthorized access to calls, messages, GPS, and more on iOS and Android devices. The commercial spyware market is worth $12 billion, with Intellexa’s package priced at €8 million. Apple drops … Read more

US Sanctions Intellexa Executives as Surveillance Spyware Crackdown Expands

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September 16, 2024 at 01:21PM The US Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on individuals and an entity linked to the Intellexa Consortium, involved in creating and distributing invasive spyware. This move is part of the government’s broader effort to combat the misuse of commercial spyware. The Consortium, led by previously sanctioned Tal Jonathan Dilian, developed … Read more

US cracks down on spyware vendor Intellexa with more sanctions

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September 16, 2024 at 12:36PM The U.S. Department of the Treasury has imposed sanctions on five executives and one entity associated with the Intellexa Consortium for developing and distributing Predator commercial spyware. This spyware, used by state-sponsored actors and governments, allowed access to sensitive information on victims’ smartphones. The sanctions aim to deter the misuse … Read more

Apple Drops Spyware Case Against NSO Group, Citing Risk of Threat Intelligence Exposure

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September 16, 2024 at 04:09AM Apple has filed a motion to dismiss its lawsuit against NSO Group, citing a shifting risk landscape that could expose critical “threat intelligence” information. The lawsuit, originally filed in 2021, aimed to hold NSO Group accountable for illegally targeting users with its Pegasus surveillance tool. Apple now seeks voluntary dismissal … Read more

Commercial Spyware Use Roars Back Despite Sanctions

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September 6, 2024 at 03:49PM Efforts by the US and other governments to curb NSO Group’s Pegasus and Intellexa Consortium’s Predator spyware have largely failed, leading the spyware retailers to improve evasion tactics. While recognized as a threat to human rights, sanctions have been circumvented, with spyware sales persisting. The spyware market is concentrated in … Read more

US imposes visa bans on 13 spyware makers and their families

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April 23, 2024 at 11:44AM The US Department of State has initiated visa restrictions on 13 individuals and their families linked to commercial spyware operations, aiming to combat the proliferation and misuse of spyware. This aligns with broader efforts, including export controls and sanctions, to address the misuse of spyware. The Biden Administration has issued … Read more

Apple Expands Spyware Alert System to Warn Users of Mercenary Attacks

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April 11, 2024 at 02:57AM Apple updates its spyware threat notification system to alert users of possible individual targeting. The move responds to global and ongoing mercenary spyware attacks, particularly on journalists and activists. The company also sent threat notifications to iPhone users in 92 countries. International efforts are underway to counter the misuse of … Read more

U.S. Cracks Down on Predatory Spyware Firm for Targeting Officials and Journalists

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March 6, 2024 at 03:15AM The U.S. Treasury’s OFAC sanctioned individuals and entities linked to Intellexa Alliance for distributing spyware targeting government officials and journalists. The group, including companies like Cytrox, developed the Predator spyware, similar to NSO Group’s Pegasus, enabling unauthorized data access. The sanctions aim to address misuse of commercial spyware and protect … Read more

US Sanctions Spyware Company and Executives Who Targeted American Journalists, Government Officials

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March 5, 2024 at 04:00PM The Treasury Department sanctioned a Greece-based spyware company, Intellexa Consortium, and its associated entities for developing and distributing spyware tools known as Predator targeting U.S. government officials and journalists. The sanctions mark the first time for misusing spyware, and the Commerce Department had previously blacklisted these entities. The spyware allows … Read more