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Spyware maker NSO Group confirms acquisition by US investors

techcrunch.com

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Re: Spyware maker NSO Group confirms acquisition by US investors

#21

Post by LPisGood »

isodev wrote: post #4

I always wondered how the software people who work in places like this live with themselves. Is it some sort of “enough money can make me forget and look myself in the mirror” situation?

I briefly worked in offensive security at somewhere you may consider to fit the bill of “places like this” - people do it because it’s fun interesting and rewarding work. The pay is good too, but the fact that you just develop the exploits and don’t Push The Button(tm) really provides more mental space than you’d think.

Re: Spyware maker NSO Group confirms acquisition by US investors

#22

Post by terribleperson »

steventhedev wrote: post #11
sofixa wrote: post #2

> After sending the messages, Hershowitz declared his comments “off the record,” which requires both parties to agree to the terms in advance. TechCrunch is publishing the responses as there was no agreement made What a failure for a spokesperson.

More like a failure on TechCrunch. There is an implied agreement and violating it will result in a flat refusal to talk outside of prepared press releases. This isn't good journalism and should not be celebrated.

That's not how that works. You don't get to decide statements are off the record after you realize you said something that would look bad. Every interview would be a puff piece if that was how things worked.

Re: Spyware maker NSO Group confirms acquisition by US investors

#23

Post by nylonstrung »

nucleogenesis wrote: post #8
isodev wrote: post #4

I always wondered how the software people who work in places like this live with themselves. Is it some sort of “enough money can make me forget and look myself in the mirror” situation?

It’s an Israeli company - they probably consider their work a matter of national security and get along just fine with that

Yeah vast majority likely come from Unit 8200 which already commits a large amount of cybercrime

Re: Spyware maker NSO Group confirms acquisition by US investors

#24

Post by LPisGood »

isodev wrote: post #15
Y-bar wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I guess it is like the scammers working in call centers and building RAT:s. They surely must have a level of sociopathy greater than the average person.

The scammers I can imagine. They’re more in the “thieves” category. Some break into houses, others trick people virtually. It’s not cool but I can imagine their motivation. The “develops weaponised software exploits” is not clear for me. Maybe it’s the same kind of mindset that lets people design and build weapons and bombs and such?

It really feels quite divorced. Workers in those roles don’t always even know what the exploits will be used for, and the technical aspects are really interesting.

Re: Spyware maker NSO Group confirms acquisition by US investors

#25

Post by kruffalon »

isodev wrote: post #4

I always wondered how the software people who work in places like this live with themselves. Is it some sort of “enough money can make me forget and look myself in the mirror” situation?

To me it looks very much like a scale...

Anyone that works at FAANG or "big"/mobile game studios, anything to do with advertising, banking, natural resources extraction/processing, non-sustansible farming, etc, etc.

In my opinion there are not many constructive things you can work with that really improve society or peoples lives.

But then again I'm in a quite dark place this year.

Re: Spyware maker NSO Group confirms acquisition by US investors

#26

Post by spankibalt »

terribleperson wrote: post #22
steventhedev wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

More like a failure on TechCrunch. There is an implied agreement and violating it will result in a flat refusal to talk outside of prepared press releases. This isn't good journalism and should not be celebrated.

That's not how that works. You don't get to decide statements are off the record after you realize you said something that would look bad. Every interview would be a puff piece if that was how things worked.

Well, that's how it works with the "Muckrakin's woke!1!!" crowd.

Re: Spyware maker NSO Group confirms acquisition by US investors

#27

Post by pliny »

isodev wrote: post #4

I always wondered how the software people who work in places like this live with themselves. Is it some sort of “enough money can make me forget and look myself in the mirror” situation?

I asked this (in a less accusatory tone) of an NSO employee once and he said something about how the big tech companies also spy on people and do unethical things.

Re: Spyware maker NSO Group confirms acquisition by US investors

#28

Post by adastra22 »

isodev wrote: post #4

I always wondered how the software people who work in places like this live with themselves. Is it some sort of “enough money can make me forget and look myself in the mirror” situation?

The pay for this kind of work usually isn’t very good. People do it for the mission.

Re: Spyware maker NSO Group confirms acquisition by US investors

#29

Post by silisili »

isodev wrote: post #4

I always wondered how the software people who work in places like this live with themselves. Is it some sort of “enough money can make me forget and look myself in the mirror” situation?

You can say this about most of tech. Sure, we agree spying is bad.

But, is it worse than ad tech at large? Is it worse than companies addicting people to their phones via psychological tricks at alarming rates? Or siphoning money from kids via freemium models? Or working on a chatbot that helps kids kill themselves? Or the gazillion payday loan apps? Or the gazillion prediction market/sports betting avenues?

I'm sure some work for more ethical companies, and I like to think I do.. But let's not pretend the vast majority of big money and biggest employers are doing any good in the world.

Given the choice between said evils, I'd probably rather work for a company that is at least honest about what they do.

Re: Spyware maker NSO Group confirms acquisition by US investors

#30

Post by eastbound »

isodev wrote: post #4

I always wondered how the software people who work in places like this live with themselves. Is it some sort of “enough money can make me forget and look myself in the mirror” situation?

> look myself in the mirror

Outcasts. You know, some people aren’t gratified by society. Even well-inserted people.

I’ve always wondered why people had ethical questions as soldiers dropping Little Boy. Imagine being a soldier at war, of course you hate your enemies. Now imagine being bullied at school and later. Some criminals even literally do crime for the thrills.

Life isn’t generally rewarding, except for a few lucky with a nice social fabric.

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