From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, February 1, 2022
In U-turn, police concede apparent misuse of NSO phone spyware: ‘Findings change things’
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on Google
After repeated blanket denials that they had misused NSO Group’s Pegasus hacking software to infiltrate civilians’ phones without justification, the Israel Police now say they have “additional findings” on the matter that “change things, in certain aspects.”
Police say the discoveries were made as part of the internal probe in response to media publications.
In response, outgoing Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit ordered police to take immediate action to prevent any further deviations from police authority, as the investigation continues.
The police said in a statement: “The head of the Investigations and Intelligence Department, with the knowledge of the police chief, will instruct all members of the Israel Police to cooperate fully with the inquiry team, as is expected and required; to respond to its questions, hand in any document or information demanded, allow access to information systems and provide technical knowledge on the measures at the disposal of police.”
Mandelblit had ordered a probe opened last month into the claims that police have for years been making widespread use of NSO’s Pegasus spyware against Israeli civilians, including people not suspected of any crimes, exploiting a legal loophole and keeping the surveillance under tight secrecy, without oversight by a court or a judge.
Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai has fiercely defended the force’s conduct, denied any widespread spying and vowed to respond severely to any “isolated incidents” of wrongdoing — if those are discovered.
The Times of Israel Community.