Pegasus spyware controversy has taken the world by storm. A surveillance software, it is created by Israeli cyber intelligence firm NSO Group. The company claims the sophisticated software is sold to law enforcement and intelligence agencies world over for the sole purpose of saving lives. But the military grade spyware is allegedly used by several governments to spy on dissidents. Several Indians are also on the target list. As the row refuses to die down, everyone is searching to find out what Pegasus is all about.
Pegasus is the most powerful spyware the world has ever developed. Once it infects your phone, the device will become a 24-hour tracking equipment without you even noticing it. It can copy the messages you send or receive, scan photos and record calls. Who created this spyware.
Did Saudi Arabia use this Israeli weapon in the Khashoggi murder?
NSO Group Technologies began manufacturing its spy products in 2010 at Herzliya in Tel Aviv in Israel. Around 500 spy technology engineers work for NSO. The firm states that its goal is to assist recognized governments in preventing terrorism and crime. Saudi Arabia was accused of using Pegasus when Saudi journalist Jamal Kashoggi, an American journalist and Saudi critic, was assassinated in Istanbul, Turkey. In 2019, Facebook had sued this firm under the US Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. But the trio of Niv Carmi, Omri Lavie and Shalev Hulio did not back down on their mission. The Israeli government classifies Pegasus as a weapon. So, any government which intends to use this spy software needs the permission of Israeli government. There is also a clause which prohibits sale of this software to private parties. That means wherever Pegasus is used, it’s with the consent of Israeli government.
That group of three
Which is that group of three that created this spy software. Pegasus founders are ex-members of Israeli intelligence group Unit 8200. Allegations were there that Pegasus was used by governments in Mexico, Panama and the UAE. Assassination of Kashoggi landed both NSO and Saudi Arabia in the dock.
Pegasus can be installed via a wireless transceiver placed near the target if spear phishing or zero-click attacks do not work. Once installed on a phone, Pegasus can copy almost any information. It can extract files, SMSes, address book, call history, calendar, emails, and internet browsing history. That is the very reason why many governments are drawn to it.
