MEP’s device hacked with Pegasus spyware

Spyware used against MEP investigating Pegasus abuses, report finds NSO Group’s hacking software was repeatedly used against a member of the European parliament while he was conducting an investigation of spyware abuses in Europe, according to a new report. Researchers at the Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto said they could not attribute the attacks against the Greek now-former MEP Stelios Kouloglou to any particular government operator of Pegasus spyware. The investigation was prompted by complaints filed by Kouloglou with the European parliament..

His complaints related to the alleged involvement of a number of European countries in the use of Pegasus spyware, which has previously been used to target journalists, activists, and politicians worldwide. Kouloglou is a vocal critic of human rights abuses and joined the European parliamentary committee to investigate the use of spyware against its members. Kouloglou’s complaints were filed in April 2022 amid a wider controversy over the use of Pegasus spyware..

The European parliament was considering an inquiry into the allegations of spyware abuses by MEPs. The Greek politician had earlier accused the Hungarian government of using the spyware against him. He also raised concerns about the involvement of governments in the use of Pegasus in Europe..

The researcher at the Citizen Lab said their investigation found that Stelios Kouloglou’s device was compromised after he joined the European parliamentary committee. He became the third member of the European parliament, after the French and the German MEPs, who had reported attacks against them after they raised concerns over the Hungarian government’s alleged use of Pegasus. The attacks on the MEPs appear to have been part of a larger campaign to silence those who are investigating the use of spyware..

Kouloglou joined the committee to look into the allegations of misuse of spyware in Europe and to scrutinize the use of spyware by European countries. The allegations of espionage have been raised in many European countries, with several countries facing criticism over their alleged involvement in the use of the spyware. The Citizen Lab researchers said they were unable to attribute the attacks to any specific government operator of the Pegasus spyware..

The use of Pegasus spyware has been linked to several countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, India, and Saudi Arabia, among others. The spy software, which was developed by the NSO Group, a private company based in Israel, has also been linked to the hacking of journalists, human rights defenders, and other activists worldwide. The NSO Group has maintained that the software is licensed only to governments and that it has strict controls in place to prevent its misuse..

However, human rights groups have accused the NSO Group of selling the spyware to governments known for their human rights abuses. The group and its allies have accused governments of using the software to target journalists and other critics. Kouloglou’s complaints, which led to the investigation by the Citizen Lab, were the first reported attacks on a member of the European parliament by a government operator of Pegasus spyware..

His colleagues who have also been under attack were a French and a German MEP. As the investigation by the Citizen Lab found, Kouloglou’s device was compromised at least twice, with evidence of attempts by hackers to access sensitive files. The researchers found that the attacks against the Greek politician had the hallmarks of the attacks previously reported against exiled Russian and Belarusian journalists who were working in Europe..

The researchers said that the attacks against Kouloglou had the hallmarks of a previous hacking campaign against exiled Russian and Belarusian journalists working in Europe. The exiled Russian and Belarusian journalists had also reported being targeted by Pegasus spyware in Europe while investigating human rights abuses. The Citizen Lab researchers found that the attacks against Kouloglou were a part of the broader campaign aimed at targeting those who are exposing human rights abuses..

Kouloglou’s case highlights the risk faced by MEPs, including those who are investigating allegations of espionage by European governments. The investigation into his case, which was done jointly with the European parliament, has raised concerns over the security threats faced by parliamentarians. The attacks on the politician suggest that there may be a growing pattern of targeting those who are investigating the use of spyware in Europe..

The European parliament is under pressure to ensure that its members are protected from hacking attacks. The use of spyware has also raised questions about the safety and security of those who are conducting investigations into the alleged misuse of the software. The parliament has promised an inquiry into the allegations of spyware abuses by MEPs, after complaints were raised by Kouloglou and other parliamentarians..

The European parliament will also be looking into the alleged misuse of Pegasus spyware in Europe. The investigation by the parliament comes after several European countries faced criticism over their alleged involvement in the use of the software. The parliamentarians are determined to expose the truth behind the alleged use of spyware by European governments and to ensure that those responsible are held accountable..

A broader investigation into the use of Pegasus spyware in Europe has been called for by many including the European Data Protection Supervisor. The investigation may lead to calls for the establishment of clear rules and regulations to prevent the misuse of spyware. The European parliament has the potential to play a significant role in investigating the use of spyware in Europe and in ensuring that the necessary steps are taken to prevent abuses..