Click Here 105. Jordan’s wave of spyware infections
Feb 6, 2024
Explore the widespread use of spyware in Jordan, targeting journalists, human rights workers, and political activists. Uncover the scandal of the Jordanian royal family's secret investments and the use of spyware for threats and censorship. Learn about the abuse of Pegasus spyware on civil society and the dangerous consequences of unaccountable hacking technology. Discover the accusation of cyber attacks on critical infrastructure and the transition of leadership in US Cyber Command.
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Dawud Kutab's Censorship Battle
- Dawud Kutab runs Radio Balad in Jordan, focusing on overlooked communities and issues. He once published a story implicating Jordan's royal family in a financial scandal, triggering government backlash.
- After the article, Dawud faced government threats and was pressured to take down the story and even detained at the airport once.
Pegasus Spyware's Silent Threat
- Pegasus spyware can infiltrate phones without any user interaction using zero-click exploits. It grants extensive access to phone data, making personal privacy almost impossible to maintain against it.
- The spyware's infection often precedes key events like travel or major news stories, signaling targeted surveillance.
Widespread Spyware in Jordan
- Access Now found at least 35 people in Jordan's civil society infected with Pegasus from 2019 to 2023.
- This widespread targeting highlights the extensive use of spyware against journalists, activists, and human rights workers in Jordan.