Israeli cyber intelligence firm NSO has been negotiating with the Jordanian government in recent months an agreement to sell new espionage technology, two sources informed me on the subject.
Why it’s important: Jordanian intelligence services monitor terrorist groups, but also monitor opposition activists and crack down on internal criticism of King Abdullah II.
Leading the news: According to sources, negotiations between the OSN and the Jordanian government began late last year and a delegation of senior executives and technology experts from the company traveled to Amman.
- They made a presentation to Jordanian officials, including from the Directorate General of Intelligence, and demonstrated the capabilities of the new technology.
- According to one source, the technology related to the new spyware for intelligence gathering and other technology to control messaging services.
- One source said a contract was signed, but a second said it was unclear if the deal was finalized.
- An OSN spokesman told me, “As a matter of long-standing policy, we do not comment on our contacts with states. The above is not considered a confirmation of the alleged facts.”
The big picture: Negotiations took place in the months leading up to the kingdom’s latest national crisis, during which former Crown Prince Hamzah bin Hussein was arrested at home for an alleged coup attempt.
- Jordanian security services monitored his communications for months and allegedly spied on his meetings with tribal leaders.
Flashback: According to press reports, the OSO has done business with the Jordanian government in the past. Haaretz reported last year that NSO uses the code name “Jaguar” for Jordan in internal documents.
It is necessary to emphasize: NSO has received harsh criticism in recent years for the use of its Pegasus spyware by various clients around the world to monitor human rights activists, opposition figures, journalists and political rivals.
- In October 2019, Facebook sued OSN for alleged use of Pegasus to hack 1,400 WhatsApp accounts, including those of 100 human rights activists and journalists. The OSN rejects the allegations.
- The Guardian reported last month that the Justice Department had renewed an OSN-related investigation.