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WhatsApp forces Pegasus spyware maker to share its secret code

arstechnica.com

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Re: WhatsApp forces Pegasus spyware maker to share its secret code

#3

Post by rdtsc »

> Initially, the NSO sought to block all discovery in the lawsuit, "due to various US and Israeli restrictions," but that blanket request was denied.

Interesting approach. The court could probably care less about Israeli restrictions as it's a different country.

Officially US govt blacklisted Pegasus https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2021/11/us-blacklists-ma.... However, I wouldn't be surprised if some US spy agencies are still using it. If that's the case, Pegasus might try asking US intel agencies to block the case on the basis of disclose of classified info or harming national interests.

It would be interesting to see if all of the sudden "something happens" and the case is mysteriously dropped.

Re: WhatsApp forces Pegasus spyware maker to share its secret code

#4

Post by ethbr1 »

rdtsc wrote: post #3

> Initially, the NSO sought to block all discovery in the lawsuit, "due to various US and Israeli restrictions," but that blanket request was denied. Interesting approach. The court could probably care less about Israeli restrictions as it's a different country. Officially US govt blacklisted Pegasus https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2021/11/us-blacklists-ma... . However, I wouldn't be surprised if some US spy agen…

I doubt US spy agencies still use it in any official capacity.

Far easier to just request and obtain the resulting intelligence from partner intelligence organizations who are using it.

Arms-length collection is less legally perilous.

But which does bode poorly for any assertion of national security in US courts! "Are you using this software?" "Officially, no." "Then on what basis do you claim national security?"

Re: WhatsApp forces Pegasus spyware maker to share its secret code

#7

Post by cheeze »

ethbr1 wrote: post #4
rdtsc wrote: post #3

> Initially, the NSO sought to block all discovery in the lawsuit, "due to various US and Israeli restrictions," but that blanket request was denied. Interesting approach. The court could probably care less about Israeli restrictions as it's a different country. Officially US govt blacklisted Pegasus https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2021/11/us-blacklists-ma... . However, I wouldn't be surprised if some US spy agen…

I doubt US spy agencies still use it in any official capacity. Far easier to just request and obtain the resulting intelligence from partner intelligence organizations who are using it. Arms-length collection is less legally perilous. But which does bode poorly for any assertion of national security in US courts! "Are you using this software?" "Officially, no." "Then on what basis do you claim national security?"

I don't know much in this space, but if I'm the US Gov I'm happy that all of the attention is on Pegasus and not other (presumably) tens (hundreds) of similar programs out there.

Re: WhatsApp forces Pegasus spyware maker to share its secret code

#9

Post by devwastaken »

cedws wrote: post #6

I don't understand why the NSO Group, and by extension Israel, has not been sanctioned over this spyware. It's a dangerous company that sells tools ripe for abuse to some of the West's worst anti-democractic enemies.

Peace and "defense" are marketing. Eisenhower warned of the military industrial complex and it's growing power.

It's mainly not "the wests" enemies contracting NSO, it is the west.

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