Galina Timchenko, Russian Journalists Lead To Become Victims Of Israeli Spyware

Galina Timchenko, a leading female journalist from Russia. (photo: dock. meduza)

JAKARTA - A prominent journalist from Rusia recently experienced an attack on her cellphone using Israeli spyware. This was said by researchers on Wednesday, September 13, which is the latest sign that cell phone hacking devices were used to spy on media workers and opposition figures around the world.

A joint investigation by Canada's internet watchdog, Citizen Lab, and digital rights group Access Now found that Galina Timchenko's cell phone had been infected using spyware made by Israeli company NSO Group. "Infections started on or around February 10, 2023," the researchers said. They did not identify who might have done so.

"Timchenko, who is one of the founders and publisher of Russia's independent news site, Meduza, was in Berlin during the hack," the researchers said.

Media defense groups condemned the alleged surveillance, with the Committee to protect Journalists saying "ournalists and their sources are not free and secure if they are under surveillance."

Timchenko was quoted in a news report published by Meduza on Wednesday as saying that the hack made him feel "as if I had been naked in the middle of the city."

In an email, NSO said that it was "always investigating credible use allegations." The company did not say whether an investigation had been disclosed in this case, or provided examples of investigations they had carried out in the past.

Researchers, legislators and journalists have repeatedly accused NSO of helping governments spy on political opponents and destroying independent reporting. In 2021, the company was blacklisted by the US government for human rights reasons.

Timchenko is a very well-known victim. As one of the pillars in Russia's independent media world, he founded Meduza in Latvia after being fired from an editor position at one of Russia's most popular news sites for violating government regulations. The site has since become a well-known source of news amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine.