Artificial Spyware Used To Kill Illegally, NSO Faces Israel Defense Ministry Investigation

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz. (Wikimedia Commons/IDF Spokesperson's Unit photographer)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Defense is studying an investigation into the NSO Group. Defense Minister Benny Gantz said Tuesday that this step was taken after it was revealed Israeli companies had been selling spyware to foreign governments who were journalists and activists.

"We are aware of recent publications regarding the use of systems developed by certain Israeli cyber companies," Gantz said Tuesday during a 'Cyber ​​Week' event at Tel Aviv University, citing The Jerusalem Post Wednesday, July 21.

On Sunday it was revealed that the Pegasus spyware project sold by NSO had been identified on the phones of individuals targeted by the governments of Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Mexico, Morocco, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Hungary, India, United Arab Emirates and more.

The investigation was carried out by 17 media organizations and led by the Paris-based nonprofit journalism Forbidden Stories, sponsored by Amnesty International. In the center is a leaked list of 50,000 telephone numbers belonging to journalists, senior politicians and business people.

Gantz stressed that Israel's policy of exporting cyber products to foreign governments is intended for lawful use, exclusively to prevent and investigate crimes and terrorism.

Gantz also underlined that Israel strictly controls the export of these products, and follows international export control provisions that apply globally.

"Countries that acquire this system must comply with their commitments to these requirements. We are currently studying published information on this matter," Gantz stressed.

In a statement released after the investigation was published, the Ministry of Defense said it would take appropriate action if the NSO Group violated the terms of its export license or end-use certificate.

Touching on cyber in Israel, Gantz said there has been a significant increase in the number of cyberattacks targeting Israel's national infrastructure in recent years, including by Iran and its proxies.

"Our enemies know no bounds, just as they fire rockets at civilians, they aim to damage civilian facilities through cyberspace while endangering human lives," he said, explaining Israel's efforts to prevent cyber attacks and have demonstrated technological advances and qualitative military advantages. .

He added that Israel must work hard to maintain its edge in cyberspace, working with partners around the world to share information, expertise and develop new capabilities.