WhatsApp accuses Israeli spyware firm of targeting journalists, civil society members
These individuals have likely been compromised through a zero-click attack, possibly initiated via a malicious PDF sent in group chats, according to WhatsApp.
The identity of the attackers remains unknown, though Paragon's software is typically used by government clients. After detecting and disrupting the hacking effort, WhatsApp issued a cease-and-desist letter to Paragon. The incident has been reported to law enforcement and Citizen Lab, a Canadian internet watchdog.
Paragon declined to comment on the accusations, according to Reuters.
Citizen Lab researcher John Scott-Railton told the outlet that the incident
'is a reminder that mercenary spyware continues to proliferate and as it does, so we continue to see familiar patterns of problematic use.'
READ MORE:
CIA can read WhatsApp messages – Zuckerberg
Paragon's website advertises "ethically based tools, teams, and insights to disrupt intractable threats,' and claims to only sell to governments in stable democratic countries. The company's products include Graphite, spyware that allows total phone access.
Despite Paragon's claims of ethical practices, WhatsApp's findings suggest otherwise, Natalia Krapiva, senior tech-legal counsel at Access Now, told Reuters. She emphasized that such abuses are not isolated incidents, saying,
'This is not just a question of some bad apples – these types of abuses (are) a feature of the commercial spyware industry.'
This incident follows a series of legal challenges against Israeli spyware firms. In December 2024, a US judge ruled that NSO Group, the maker of Pegasus spyware, was liable for hacking the phones of 1,400 individuals through WhatsApp in May 2019, violating US state and federal hacking laws, and WhatsApp's terms of service. A separate trial in March will determine what damages NSO Group owes WhatsApp.
READ MORE:
'World's largest investigative journalism organization' secretly controlled by US government – report
Legal documents from ongoing US litigation between NSO Group and WhatsApp have revealed that it is the Israeli cyberweapons maker NSO Group, not its government clients, that installs and extracts information using its spyware. This disclosure contradicts NSO's prior claim that only clients operate the system without NSO's direct involvement.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Russia Today
18-07-2025
- Russia Today
Russian MPs predict WhatsApp ban
WhatsApp, the messaging service owned by Meta, may be forced to exit the Russian market as lawmakers warn that the app faces additional legal restrictions despite its popularity in the country. Russian President Vladimir Putin directed his government this week to draft new regulations by September that would impose additional controls on software developed in so-called 'unfriendly' nations. Some Russian legislators have singled out WhatsApp as a likely target. 'WhatsApp should be preparing to leave the Russian market,' said Anton Gorelkin, deputy chair of the State Duma's committee on information policy and technology, in a social media post on Friday. Another committee member, Anton Nemkin, told TASS that WhatsApp's continued presence constitutes 'a legalized breach of national security.' He added the app's 'fate in Russia is sealed.' Both lawmakers pointed to Meta's prior designation in Russia as a distributor of extremist content. That label followed the company's decision in 2022 to permit content calling for violence against Russians in the context of the Ukraine conflict – an exemption from its standard hate speech policies. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday that WhatsApp, like all companies operating in Russia, must comply with national laws. However, he declined to say whether a formal ban is under consideration. WhatsApp is Russia's most-used messenger service, according to surveys. Research firm Mediascope estimated its monthly user base at 97.4 million as of April. The Russian government is promoting the development of a domestic messaging platform which would be integrated with the country's national ID system. Officials hope the service will eventually enable secure access to government and financial services. The app is currently in public beta testing. Gorelkin said the domestic platform would be a natural replacement for WhatsApp. Russia already imposes regulatory limits on messaging services. For example, since last month, banks and businesses handling personal data have been required to use secure communication channels to reduce the risk of fraud.
Russia Today
11-07-2025
- Russia Today
EU could fine Meta $22 million per day
Facebook's parent company, Meta, is facing fresh EU antitrust charges and multi-million daily fines after reportedly refusing to further amend its controversial pay-or-consent model, according to Reuters. Meta's model, which was introduced in the EU in November of 2023, requires users to pay a subscription fee if they want to use Facebook and Instagram without having their data tracked or being bombarded with personalized ads. The initial mobile subscription cost €12.99 (over $15) per month. EU regulators say the model breaks the rules of the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which requires large tech companies, known as 'gatekeepers', to offer alternative versions of their services that use less personal data but still work just as well. In April, the US tech giant was fined €200 million ($234 million) for not following this rule. In 2024, the corporation, which also owns WhatsApp, did reduce its use of personal data and halved the subscription fee, but the European Commission held that the changes are insufficient. Last month, it warned the company that it could face daily penalties of up to 5% of its global turnover if further changes were not made. Based on its 2024 revenue of $164.5 billion, the company could face daily fines of up to $22.5 million. However, the US tech giant insists it 'will not propose additional changes unless circumstances change,' Reuters wrote on Friday, citing people with direct knowledge of the matter. Meta declined to comment but has previously stated it believes it is compliant with the DMA, Reuters noted. The company also defended its model as a legitimate business approach and accused the European Commission of unfairly targeting its business practices. The dispute reflects a broader clash between EU regulators and Big Tech platforms over digital competition. The DMA, which took effect in 2023, aims to curb anti-competitive behavior and promote fairness in online markets.
Russia Today
06-05-2025
- Russia Today
Israel strikes ‘dozens of targets' in Yemen (VIDEOS)
Israel has launched a series of airstrikes on Houthi-controlled targets in Yemen in retaliation for a ballistic missile strike by the rebel group on Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said that around 20 fighter jets participated in Monday's operation, dropping at least 50 munitions on 'dozens of targets,' including the Hodeidah port complex and a concrete factory in Bajil. The IDF described the targets as critical to the Houthis' military logistics, allegedly serving as conduits for Iranian arms shipments. According to Yemeni sources, the strikes resulted in at least one death and 35 injuries. Rescue operations were still ongoing as of Tuesday morning, with authorities searching for possible victims trapped under rubble. The air raid came one day after a Houthi missile hit the grounds of Ben Gurion Airport, injuring six people and temporarily disrupting air traffic. Fresh footage shows the Israeli strikes on the Houthis cement factory in is a massive factory and heavy blow. It was the first time a Houthi projectile had reached the vicinity of Israel's main international airport, prompting strong condemnation and threats of retaliation from Israeli officials. Two people were killed as Israel launched 50 air strikes on Yemen's Hodeidah port region and a cement factory, local media report. The strikes followed a missile from Yemen that hit Israel's Ben Gurion airport on Sunday. 'Israel will respond to the Houthi attack against our main airport and, at a time and place of our choosing, to their Iranian terror masters,' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday, blaming Tehran for orchestrating the assault. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today at the Air Force command center at the Kirya during the attack on Houthi terrorist regime targets in Yemen. The Houthis, who control much of western Yemen, including the capital Sanaa and the port of Hodeidah, have launched numerous drones and missiles at Israeli territory and commercial vessels in the Red Sea over the past year. The group says its actions are in support of Palestinians and in protest of Israel's military campaign in Gaza. The Houthis have also warned of a 'comprehensive aerial blockade' on Israel if it proceeds with a renewed offensive in Gaza. Despite the warning, Israel reportedly approved a plan on Monday for the full military occupation of Gaza and the forced relocation of its Palestinian population to the territory's southern areas, according to multiple media outlets. Since returning to office, US President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to escalate strikes against the Houthis, warning that the group would be 'completely annihilated' unless it ceased its attacks. Washington and Israel have both accused Iran of arming and directing the Houthis, though Tehran has denied the allegations. The United States did not directly participate in the latest Israeli airstrikes, but coordinated closely with Israel, a senior US official told Axios journalist Barak Ravid. Another official cited by Al Jazeera did not rule out the possibility that non-lethal support was provided. Separately, US forces conducted their own airstrikes on Monday, reportedly targeting Houthi positions near Sanaa, an unnamed US official told the Associated Press.
