WhatsApp confirms: The device of a senior politician in Spain was hacked using software from the Israeli NSO
The company, which is owned by Facebook, announced today that it has sent a letter to the chairman of the House of Representatives of Catalonia, Roger Torrent, in which it admits that his personal account was attacked in order to gain access to information on his device.
Calcalist Service 11: 5728.07.20
Tags: NSO WhatsApp Class Action
WhatsApp has confirmed that the mobile phone of a senior Spanish politician who supports Catalonia's independence has been hacked using a vulnerability in the messaging app. The Guardian reports that WhatsApp has sent a letter to Catalonia's chairman Roger Torrent admitting that his personal account had been attacked "with the aim of gaining unauthorized access to information and communications about the device".
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In the letter, the company confirmed that the attack used spyware, produced by the Israeli company NSO. "By the terms the attack was intended, the attackers tried to infiltrate malware into Torrent's WhatsApp app," said Niamey Sweeney, director of public policy at WhatsApp in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
Roger Torrent Speaker of the Parliament of Catalonia
Roger Torrent Speaker of the Parliament of Catalonia
Photo: Reuters
NSO declined to comment on WhatsApp's letter. The company, which sells its software only to governments, denied that it took part in running the spyware and claimed that it did not know the goals of the governments that bought the software from it.
NSO offices in Herzliya
NSO offices in Herzliya
Photo: Uriel Cohen
According to a lawsuit filed in the US, the spyware exploits a vulnerability in the WhatsApp app and gives operators access to all content on the mobile phone, including emails, text messages and photos. The software also allows installers to turn on the camera and record calls.
WhatsApp security
WhatsApp security
According to WhatsApp estimates, for two weeks between April and May last year, a widespread attack was carried out that led to 1,400 users falling victim to NSO's Pegasus spyware. The attackers include journalists in India, human rights activists in Morocco, diplomats and senior government officials.
https://www.calcalist.co.il/internet/articles/0,7340,L-3842222,00.html translted by google
The company, which is owned by Facebook, announced today that it has sent a letter to the chairman of the House of Representatives of Catalonia, Roger Torrent, in which it admits that his personal account was attacked in order to gain access to information on his device.
Calcalist Service 11: 5728.07.20
Tags: NSO WhatsApp Class Action
WhatsApp has confirmed that the mobile phone of a senior Spanish politician who supports Catalonia's independence has been hacked using a vulnerability in the messaging app. The Guardian reports that WhatsApp has sent a letter to Catalonia's chairman Roger Torrent admitting that his personal account had been attacked "with the aim of gaining unauthorized access to information and communications about the device".
Read more in Calcalist:
California Court: Facebook's lawsuit against NSO will continue
WhatsApp has crossed the 50 million mark of its business app users
Politicians in Catalonia have been warned that NSO spyware has been installed on their phones
In the letter, the company confirmed that the attack used spyware, produced by the Israeli company NSO. "By the terms the attack was intended, the attackers tried to infiltrate malware into Torrent's WhatsApp app," said Niamey Sweeney, director of public policy at WhatsApp in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
Roger Torrent Speaker of the Parliament of Catalonia
Roger Torrent Speaker of the Parliament of Catalonia
Photo: Reuters
NSO declined to comment on WhatsApp's letter. The company, which sells its software only to governments, denied that it took part in running the spyware and claimed that it did not know the goals of the governments that bought the software from it.
NSO offices in Herzliya
NSO offices in Herzliya
Photo: Uriel Cohen
According to a lawsuit filed in the US, the spyware exploits a vulnerability in the WhatsApp app and gives operators access to all content on the mobile phone, including emails, text messages and photos. The software also allows installers to turn on the camera and record calls.
WhatsApp security
WhatsApp security
According to WhatsApp estimates, for two weeks between April and May last year, a widespread attack was carried out that led to 1,400 users falling victim to NSO's Pegasus spyware. The attackers include journalists in India, human rights activists in Morocco, diplomats and senior government officials.
https://www.calcalist.co.il/internet/articles/0,7340,L-3842222,00.html translted by google
