NSO blocks access to Pegasus for some govt clients

Israeli cybersecurity company NSO Group has temporarily blocked several government clients around the world from using its spyware technology as the firm probes its alleged abuses, according to a US media report. The alleged use of the Pegasus software to spy on journalists, human rights defenders, politicians and others in a number of countries, including India, triggered concerns over issues relating to privacy. NSO's ongoing internal investigation checked some of the telephone numbers of people that NSO's clients reportedly marked as potential targets. NSO says it has 60 customers in 40 countries, all of them intelligence agencies, law enforcement bodies and militaries, the reports said.

The Israeli government has also faced pressure since it regulates the sale of spyware technology to other countries. It has launched a probe into allegations against NSO.Israeli officials inspected NSO's office in Herzliya, near Tel Aviv, on Wednesday "to assess the allegations raised in regards to the company," the defence ministry said in a statement. Mercury Public Affairs, which represents NSO Group, said in a statement: "The company is working in full transparency with the Israeli authorities. We are confident that this inspection will prove the facts are as declared repeatedly by the Company against the false allegations made against us in the recent media attacks."

The company says it only sells its spyware to countries for the purpose of fighting terrorism and crime.Nearly three weeks before Pegasus Project stories were published, NSO released its first report outlining its policies on combating the misuse of its technology and protecting human rights. It cites a new procedure adopted last year to investigate allegations of potential software misuse. Shmuel Sunray, who serves as general counsel to NSO Group, said the intense scrutiny facing the company was unfair considering its own vetting efforts. "What we are doing is, what I think today is, the best standard that can be done," Sunray said.