9 months ago
Apple and WhatsApp Vow Global Spyware Alerts Amid US Surveillance Concerns
Imagine two companies, Apple and WhatsApp, that make phones and messaging apps.
They promise to tell you if someone bad, like a government, tries to secretly spy on your phone using special hacking tools.
This is important because two other companies, called Paragon and NSO, make these spying tools.
They are from Israel but have big investors from America and people connected to Donald Trump working with them.
These companies say they only want to help governments catch bad guys.
However, these spying tools have been used before to spy on journalists and people who disagree with their governments.
Now, America's immigration agency might use one of these tools, which worries some people, like Senator Ron Wyden.
He is afraid the government might use it to spy on regular people.
One of the spying companies, NSO, even has Donald Trump's former ambassador to Israel helping lead it.
Apple and WhatsApp say they will keep fighting against these spying tools, no matter where they come from or who is using them, because they want to keep everyone's information private.
Apple and WhatsApp are committed to alerting users worldwide about potential spyware targeting, including in the U.S.
Israeli spyware firms Paragon Solutions and NSO Group, with new American investment and ties to Donald Trump's circle, are expanding U.S. influence.
Paragon's Graphite spyware platform was reportedly given access to U.S. immigration officials under Trump's leadership after a paused contract.
NSO Group, previously blacklisted by the Biden administration, has appointed David Friedman, Trump's former ambassador to Israel, as executive chairman.
Critics and cybersecurity experts express grave concerns about the misuse of spyware by governments and the potential for a 'silent spyware epidemic' in the U.S.
- Who
- Apple, WhatsApp, Paragon Solutions, NSO Group, US immigration officials, Senator Ron Wyden, David Friedman, Robert Simonds
- What
- Apple and WhatsApp are reaffirming their commitment to alert users of potential government-backed spyware attacks. Concerns are rising over Israeli spyware firms with US ties and their potential use by US agencies, including ICE.
- Where
- Primarily in the United States, with concerns extending globally due to the nature of spyware.
- When
- The contract with Paragon was revived in September under Trump's leadership; the NSO Group blacklisting occurred in 2021.
- Why
- Renewed interest from US government agencies and expansion efforts by Israeli spyware firms with ties to Donald Trump's circle have reignited the debate over surveillance and privacy.
Spyware Firms' Stated Purpose
Concerns Over Spyware Misuse
Purpose of Technology
Spyware Firms' Stated Purpose
Paragon and NSO Group maintain their technologies are designed to help governments combat terrorism and organized crime.
Concerns Over Spyware Misuse
Software from these companies has repeatedly been misused to surveil journalists, activists, and political dissidents globally.
US Government Use of Spyware
Spyware Firms' Stated Purpose
The Trump administration reportedly granted US immigration officials access to Paragon's hacking platform, Graphite.
Concerns Over Spyware Misuse
Senator Ron Wyden is concerned about how ICE will use spyware and other technology to infringe on rights, especially targeting those labeled as enemies by Donald Trump.
NSO Group's Status
Spyware Firms' Stated Purpose
NSO Group, blacklisted by the Biden administration, is seeking rehabilitation with new US backers and aims to have its sanctions lifted.
Concerns Over Spyware Misuse
The Biden administration blacklisted NSO Group in 2021 for activities contrary to US national security.
Key facts
- Companies Renewing Spyware Alerts
- Apple and WhatsApp
- Spyware Firms in Focus
- Paragon Solutions and NSO Group
- Recent Deal
- Paragon's Graphite spyware platform reportedly accessed by US immigration officials under Trump's leadership.
- NSO Group Leadership
- David Friedman, former US ambassador to Israel, appointed executive chairman of NSO Group's holding company.
- US Government Blacklisting
- NSO Group blacklisted by Biden administration in 2021.
- Key Critic
- Senator Ron Wyden
Quotes
Apple
A statement from Apple regarding its threat notification policies.
“Threat notifications are designed to inform and assist users who may have been individually targeted by mercenary spyware, and geographic location is not a factor.”
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A WhatsApp spokesperson
A spokesperson for WhatsApp on the company's commitment to user protection.
“by disrupting hacking efforts, building new layers of protection and alerting people whose device has come under threat, no matter where they are in the world.”
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Senator Ron Wyden
Senator Ron Wyden, a vocal critic of surveillance.
“I’m extremely concerned about how ICE will use spyware, facial recognition and other technology to further trample on the rights of Americans and anyone Donald Trump labels as an enemy.”
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David Friedman
David Friedman, executive chairman of NSO Group's holding company and former US Ambassador to Israel, speaking to reporters in Israel.
“I hope that will be accomplished, but we haven’t made that request yet.”
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John Scott-Railton
John Scott-Railton of Citizen Lab, a cybersecurity expert.
“Nobody is protected when it comes to mercenary spyware. The last thing America needs right now is a silent spyware epidemic.”
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