Israeli spyware maker NSO acquired by US investment group
What's the story
A US investment group has acquired Israeli spyware manufacturer NSO Group, the company behind iPhone spyware Pegasus. The news was confirmed by the NSO's spokesperson, Oded Hershowitz. He told TechCrunch that "an American investment group has invested tens of millions of dollars in the company and has acquired controlling ownership." However, Hershowitz did not disclose the exact amount or identities of the investors involved in this deal.
Deal details
NSO's core operations to remain in Israel
The confirmation of the acquisition comes after Israeli tech news site Calcalist reported that a group led by Hollywood producer Robert Simonds had agreed to buy the surveillance technology company for tens of millions of dollars. Despite this change in ownership, Hershowitz assured that NSO Group's headquarters and core operations will remain in Israel under the supervision and regulation of relevant Israeli authorities.
Leadership change
Major leadership change at NSO
As part of the new deal with Simonds, NSO's co-founder and executive chairman Omri Lavie will step down from his role at the spyware maker. The move marks a major leadership change for the company. However, neither Lavie nor Simonds or his Hollywood company STX Entertainment has commented on this development yet.
Controversies
Controversies surrounding NSO Group
NSO Group has been embroiled in controversies since its inception. The company's spyware has been linked to cases of journalists, dissidents, and human rights defenders being targeted and hacked by government customers in countries like India, Mexico, Morocco, Poland, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. In 2021, the US Commerce Department banned American companies from trading with NSO after it was caught targeting a dozen US government officials abroad.
Acquisition worries
Concerns raised over acquisition
John Scott-Railton, a senior researcher at Citizen Lab who has investigated abuses of NSO's spyware for a decade, expressed concerns over the acquisition. He questioned how someone like Simonds could be trusted to properly oversee a company with such a controversial history. "This dictator tech does not belong anywhere near Americans or our constitutionally protected rights or freedoms," he added.