WhatsApp Exposes Israeli Spyware Firm’s Attempt to Hack Journalists and Activists
WhatsApp said the company "will continue to protect people's ability to communicate privately."
WhatsApp has reported that an Israeli spyware firm, Paragon Solutions, attempted to hack around 90 of its users, including journalists and civil society members.
This operation was successfully disrupted by WhatsApp, which has since issued a cease-and-desist letter to Paragon Solutions.
The company is collaborating with the Canadian watchdog group Citizen Lab to support the affected users and has emphasized its commitment to user privacy and security.
A WhatsApp official stated that while they detected the hacking attempt, specific details about the targeted individuals or their locations were not disclosed.
The official said on Friday that WhatsApp had sent Paragon a cease-and-desist letter following the hack. In a statement, WhatsApp said the company “will continue to protect people’s ability to communicate privately.”
The incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding the proliferation of mercenary spyware, as noted by John Scott-Railton from Citizen Lab, who remarked on the troubling patterns of misuse associated with such technologies.
This incident follows a recent legal victory for WhatsApp against another Israeli spyware company, NSO Group, which was found liable for hacking incidents affecting over 1,400 users. A federal judge ruled that NSO Group violated U.S. hacking laws and WhatsApp’s terms of service.
This case underscores the broader issues surrounding the use of spyware against journalists and activists globally.
