The iPhones of nine Bahraini political activists were recently hacked using the NSO group’s Pegasus spyware, according to a new report published by researchers.
Digital intrusions, aimed at people connected to the Internet Bahrain Human Rights Center, as well as members of nationally banned political organizations, occurred at various points between June 2020 and February 2021, according to Citizen Lab, a research unit with the University of Toronto.
In all cases, hackers used NSO’s “zero-click” NSessage exploit, a powerful attack that requires no fishing (impersonation) and only takes advantage of the security vulnerabilities in the application’s code. messaging to compromise a device.
The company’s powerful commercial malware, Pegasus, is able to completely compromise a recipient’s phone. allow a user a read texts, listen to calls, hijack a device’s microphone and camera, record keystrokes, and more.
Citizen Lab attributes at least four of the hacks to the Bahraini government, which it describes as a “known spyware abuser,” and which has reportedly been using OSN products since 2017. At least one of the other victims may having been hacked by another government, the researchers write.
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“Bahrain has a history of brutal repression of dissent,” the researchers write, noting that the government “uses various methods to block or suppressinternet content. “
For years, the OSN has been accused of aiding corrupt governments while spying on political dissidents, journalists and human rights activists. These statements gained more legitimacy earlier this year with the publication of the document “Pegasus Project“A large journalistic exposition on the commercial practices of the Israeli spyware firm. The project revealed a leaked list of approximately 50,000 phone numbers, which researchers say represent” possible surveillance targets “of Pegasus. ‘has confirmed to to include the number of world dignitaries, including presidents, prime ministers and a king.
The OSN has continually defended itself against allegations of wrongdoing, often claiming that its products are only used to combat “terrorism” and catch pedophiles. The company says it only sells to military and intelligence agencies and has done so mocked aggressively the findings of the Pegasus Project, calling them “unfounded”.
“As always, if NSO receives reliable information related to the misuse of the system, the company will vigorously investigate the claims and act accordingly based on the findings,” the company said. said The Guardian, in response to recent allegations from Bahrain.
However, critics say the company is basically full.
“Despite being involved in human rights abuses for half a decade, NSO Group regularly states that they are, in fact, committed to the protection of human rights.” says the report. “However, this alleged concern contradicts a growing body of evidence indicating that its spyware is being used by authoritarian regimes against human rights activists, journalists and other members of civil society.”