Another spyware program capable of attacking iPhones came to light after it was provided to the government, heavily influencing NSO Group’s Pegasus case.
Security services and governments frequently use spy software to monitor persons of interest. The most famous example of this is the revelation that the NSO group sold and used spyware called Pegasus to spy on political opponents, activists, and journalists.
Israeli company QuaDream has been accused of selling spyware tools to governments that allow them to monitor individuals of interest, including journalists, dissident figures and advocacy groups, in at least 10 countries. A known spyware tool resembles the infamous Pegasus created by the NSO Group, used to spy on political opponents, activists and journalists.
The tool has been offered to governments in Mexico, Singapore, and Ghana, and has been pitched to other governments, including Indonesia and Morocco.
Internet watchdog researcher citizen lab A Microsoft Corp software engineer reviewed samples provided by Microsoft Threat Intelligence and found the Reign spyware program being used against political opponents, journalists, and others in the Americas, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The iOS 14 zero-click attack was developed by an Israeli company called QuaDream.
QuaDream is similar to NSO Group but maintains a smaller presence. QuaDream maintains a modest media and web presence, according to Citizen Lab. However, the company has been embroiled in a lawsuit with a Cyprus-based company named He InReach, who leaked confidential information about QuaDream.
Citizen Lab described key figures associated with each company, including former Israeli military officer Ian Dabelstein and California-based Israeli businessman Roy Galsberg Keller. The reports come after the White House issued an executive order restricting US agencies from acquiring surveillance software if the software is also used by foreign authoritarian nations.
The discovery of QuaDream’s Reign tool follows the Pegasus scandal, which spotlighted the government’s use of spyware to monitor interested individuals. The Pegasus spyware tool was sold and used by the NSO group. This has led to protests and legal action by individuals and organizations targeted by the software.
The use of spyware tools to monitor individuals of interest is a controversial issue raising privacy and civil liberties concerns. The discovery of QuaDream’s Reign tool highlights the need for transparency and accountability in the spyware industry, especially when it comes to selling surveillance software to oppressive governments.
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