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The iPhones of nearly 30 Jordanian journalists, activists, human rights lawyers, and civil society members have been targeted by NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware, according to a joint investigation by Access Now and Citizen Lab.
Nine of the 35 individuals were publicly identified as targets, and their devices were compromised by mercenary surveillance software tools. The infection is estimated to have occurred from at least 2019 until September 2023.
“In some cases, perpetrators posed as journalists, solicited interviews and statements from victims, and embedded malicious links to the Pegasus spyware in and between messages,” Access Now said.
“Many victims were reinfected with Pegasus spyware multiple times, demonstrating the relentless nature of this targeted surveillance campaign.”
The Israeli company has been in the spotlight for failing to implement strict human rights safeguards before selling cyber intelligence technology to government customers and law enforcement agencies for the purpose of “preventing and investigating terrorism and serious crimes.”
In its 2023 Transparency and Responsibility Report, NSO Group touted a “significant reduction” in reports of product misuse from 2022 to 2023, blaming it on its due diligence and review processes. Ta.
“Cyberintelligence technology enables government intelligence and law enforcement agencies to fulfill their fundamental mission of preventing violence and protecting the public,” the company said.
“Importantly, we can counter widespread deployment of end-to-end encryption applications by terrorists and criminals without conducting mass surveillance or gaining backdoor access to every user’s device. .”
The company also sought to “dispel falsehoods” about Pegasus, saying that Pegasus is not a mass surveillance tool and is licensed to legitimate and vetted intelligence and law enforcement agencies that cannot control devices or He said it cannot penetrate computer networks, desktops or laptops. operating system.
“It is technically impossible for Pegasus to add, modify, delete, or otherwise manipulate data on a target’s mobile device, or to perform any activity beyond viewing or extracting specific data,” NSO Group said in a statement. ” he said.
Despite these assurances, invasive spyware attacks targeting members of Jordan’s civil society highlight a continuing pattern of abuse contrary to the company’s claims.
According to Access Now, victims’ devices were compromised with both zero-click and one-click attacks using Apple iOS exploits such as FORCEDENTRY, FINDMYPWN, PWNYOURHOME, and BLASTPASS to breach security guardrails and through social engineering attacks. I heard that Pegasus has been delivered.
This attack was characterized by disseminating malicious links to victims via WhatsApp and SMS, with the attackers posing as journalists to increase the chances of the campaign’s success.
The nonprofit also said that enabling lockdown mode on iPhones will likely prevent some devices from being reinfected with spyware. It also called on governments around the world, including Jordan, to stop using such tools and suspend sales until appropriate measures are taken.
“Surveillance technologies and cyberweapons, such as NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware, target human rights defenders and journalists, intimidate them and dissuade them from doing their work, infiltrate networks, and gather information to use against other targets. Access Now said.
“Targeted surveillance violates the rights to privacy, freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly. It also forces individuals to self-censor and cease their activities and journalism for fear of retaliation. It also creates a chilling effect that eliminates benefits.”
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