And no, I'm not referring to PegaNeptune.
As a reminder, the Pegasus_(spyware) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pegasus_(spyware)
> is a spyware developed by the Israeli cyberarms firm NSO Group that can be covertly installed on mobile phones (and other devices) running most versions of iOS and Android. The 2021 Project Pegasus revelations suggest that current Pegasus software is able to exploit all recent iOS versions up to iOS 14.6. According to the Washington Post and other prominent media sources, Pegasus not only enables the keystroke monitoring of all communications from a phone (texts, emails, web searches) but it also enables phone call and location tracking, while also permitting NSO Group to hijack both the mobile phone's microphone and camera, thus turning it into a constant surveillance device.
As for the NSO Group https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NSO_Group
> NSO Group Technologies (NSO standing for Niv, Shalev and Omri, the names of the company's founders) is an Israeli technology firm whose spyware called Pegasus enables the remote surveillance of smartphones. It was founded in 2010 by Niv Carmi, Omri Lavie, and Shalev Hulio. It employed almost 500 people as of 2017, and is based in Herzliya, near Tel Aviv, Israel.
> NSO Group is a subsidiary of the Q Cyber Technologies group of companies. Q Cyber Technologies is the name the NSO Group uses in Israel, OSY Technologies in Luxembourg, and in North American it has a subsidiary named Westbridge. It has operated through other companies around the world.
< "Q" Wooo!
> According to several reports, software created by NSO Group was used in targeted attacks against human rights activists and journalists in various countries, was used in state espionage against Pakistan, and played a role in the murder of Saudi dissident Jamal Kashoggi by agents of the Saudi government. In October 2019, instant messaging company WhatsApp and its parent company Facebook sued NSO and Q Cyber Technologies under the US Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA). NSO claims that it provides authorized governments with technology that helps them combat terror and crime.
> The Pegasus spyware is classified as a weapon by Israel and any export of the technology must be approved by the government.
So, before I drop a few more Non-Wikipedia links, I'm going to say that I believe that the reason you're hearing more about it in the news lately is that the use of this technology has ramped up into such a high gear that many people in positions of power are extremely compromised, in every way, including blackmail, on levels never before seen in human history.
And as for the Data?The Israeli Government has it ALL, on EVERYONE.
That much is a given.
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This is an interesting link…
HIDE AND SEEK Tracking NSO Group’s Pegasus Spyware to Operations in 45 Countries
https://citizenlab.ca/2018/09/hide-and-seek-tracking-nso-groups-pegasus-spyware-to-operations-in-45-countries/
September 18, 2018
> In this post, we develop new Internet scanning techniques to identify 45 countries in which operators of NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware may be conducting operations.
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Pegasus project sparks clamour for investigations into use of NSO spyware
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/20/pegasus-project-sparks-clamour-for-investigations-into-use-of-nso-spyware
Tue 20 Jul 2021 15.28 EDT
> Indian opposition disrupts parliament to demand inquiry as Paris prosecutors examine allegations
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Revealed: leak uncovers global abuse of cyber-surveillance weapon
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/18/revealed-leak-uncovers-global-abuse-of-cyber-surveillance-weapon-nso-group-pegasus
Sun 18 Jul 2021 12.00 EDT
> Spyware sold to authoritarian regimes used to target activists, politicians and journalists, data suggests
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Saudis behind NSO spyware attack on Jamal Khashoggi’s family, leak suggests
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/18/nso-spyware-used-to-target-family-of-jamal-khashoggi-leaked-data-shows-saudis-pegasus
Sun 18 Jul 2021 14.32 EDT
> Forensic analysis shows phones of those close to journalist were targeted before and after he was murdered
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SURVEILLANCE DOES NOT LEND WELL TO FREEDOM OR AUTHENTICITY.
