Today, Explained Democratizing spying
Feb 14, 2023
Mark Mazzetti, an investigative reporter for The New York Times, dives into the world of spyware and its implications for personal privacy and national security. He discusses the rise of zero-click spyware, emphasizing how it allows governments to access private data without consent. Mazzetti highlights the controversial Pegasus spyware and its ethical dilemmas. He also reveals the U.S. government's dual role as both a promoter and critic of surveillance technologies, tackling the urgent challenges of regulating these increasingly accessible tools in a global context.
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Spyware's Threat
- Spyware threatens the privacy of billions of smartphone users worldwide.
- It invades personal lives by accessing messages, photos, videos, chats, and even deleted data.
Pegasus Spyware
- Pegasus, developed by NSO Group, is a sophisticated zero-click spyware.
- It hacks phones without user interaction, extracting all data and acting as a powerful wiretap.
NSO's Origins
- NSO Group initially developed remote access tools for IT support.
- They later adapted this technology for governments to access smartphones.