Exposing Pegasus: The Global Spyware Scandal

People often say, "I have nothing to hide." Hence, they're not concerned about a government monitoring their personal communications. For those who hold this view, this episode might make you rethink your position.

In this episode of Privacy Files, Rich and Sarah review the new 2-part PBS documentary Global Spyware Scandal: Exposing Pegasus.

This documentary is an earth-shattering story about governments using advanced technology to surveil politicians, heads of state, royal family members, journalists, activists and human rights defenders. As one person put it, “a spy service for tyrants.”

Pegasus is spyware developed by the Israeli cyber-arms company NSO group. It can be covertly installed on mobile phones (and other devices) running most  versions of iOS and Android. It can covertly read text messages, track calls, collect passwords, track location, access microphones and cameras, and harvest info from apps.

The spyware can be installed on a device without the victim ever needing to click a link. This technique is called a zero-click exploit.

While NSO Group claims it only provides Pegasus to authorized governments to assist in combating terrorism and crime, the evidence is overwhelming that the tool is being used to track people who are in opposition to establishment governments. In other words, people who are a threat to power.

In fact, the FBI admitted to purchasing Pegasus, but as of early 2022, claimed they never activated the spyware.

All in all, this documentary is about multiple news agencies joining together on a yearlong investigation of one of the greatest invasion-of-privacy scandals in human history.

Links Referenced:

https://www.technologyreview.com/2023/01/10/1066500/roomba-irobot-robot-vacuum-beta-product-testers-consent-agreement-misled/

https://smartrobotreviews.com/s/robot-vacuums/roomba-comparison/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZVj1_SE4Mo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYMWTXIkANM

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/09/us-supreme-court-lets-whatsapp-pursue-pegasus-spyware-lawsuit

https://patch.com/us/across-america/pegasus-spyware-maker-campaigning-get-u-s-blacklist

https://mysudo.com/2019/10/have-i-been-hacked-how-to-tell-if-you-have-a-compromised-account-and-what-to-do-about-it/

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