Tech Giant Apple sued Israeli-based software company NSO Group this week to hold it accountable for the surveillance and targeting of Apple Users with its Pegasus spyware.
“State-sponsored actors like the NSO Group spend millions of dollars on sophisticated surveillance technologies without effective accountability,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering. “That needs to change.”
The Pegasus spyware targeted a small group of users worldwide infecting their phones and allowing NSO’s clients to access microphone, camera and other sensitive data on the Apple devices.
The lawsuit seeks to ban NSO Group from targeting individuals through the use of Apple devices as well as seeking redress for NSO’s Group’s violations of US law.
“The steps we’re taking today will send a clear message: In a free society, it is unacceptable to weaponize powerful state-sponsored spyware against those who seek to make the world a better place,” said Ivan Krstić, head of Apple Security Engineering and Architecture.
Apple also announced a $10 million contribution to support cybersurveillance researchers and advocates.
By Staff
