Priya PatelTLDR:
- Intellexa, a spyware developer, and key individuals associated with it have been added to the US sanctions list.
- Intellexa’s Predator spyware, similar to NSO Group’s Pegasus, compromises phone calls, messages, GPS data, and access to microphone and camera on iOS and Android devices.
Five individuals and one company linked to spyware developer Intellexa have been sanctioned by the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control. Intellexa, known for developing the Predator spyware, similar to the infamous Pegasus spyware, has been deemed a threat to national security. The sanctions come after evidence of new Predator infrastructure was spotted in African countries, indicating Intellexa’s continued activity despite initial sanctions. The individuals sanctioned include key figures at Intellexa and its parent company, Thalestris Limited. The sanctions aim to crack down on the proliferation of exploitative technologies that undermine privacy and national security.
The commercial spyware market, estimated at $12 billion annually, is booming, with spyware like Predator and Pegasus fetching millions due to their ability to exploit zero-day vulnerabilities. Apple, in a surprising move, has abandoned plans to sue NSO Group, the makers of Pegasus, after concern that litigation could expose sensitive details that could weaken cybersecurity protections. The commercial spyware ecosystem continues to evolve, posing threats to privacy and security.
