Massive Pegasus Spyware Leak Reveals Widespread Targeting of Journalists
A leaked list of phone numbers reveals that NSO Group's Pegasus spyware targets journalists and activists globally, contradicting the company's claims of only pursuing criminals. The leak exposes the vast, hidden scope of this invasive surveillance technology.
A massive international investigation exposes how Pegasus, a powerful spyware created by Israeli security company NSO Group, targets journalists and activists around the world. The reporting relies on a leaked list of tens of thousands of phone numbers, showing that individuals beyond the criminals and terrorists NSO claims to pursue are actively marked for surveillance.
While the presence of a phone number on the list does not guarantee a successful hack, news outlets confirm that many devices belonging to reporters and human rights defenders are successfully compromised. This data directly contradicts NSO Group's official statements and highlights a massive gap between the company's stated intentions and the real-world application of its technology by client governments.
These leaks provide a rare and crucial window into the spyware's reach, as Pegasus is notoriously difficult for researchers to detect on infected devices. NSO Group continues to deny any wrongdoing and defends itself by arguing that, like traditional weapons manufacturers, it cannot control how governments use the tools it sells to them.