Darknet Diaries 100: NSO
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Aug 31, 2021 In this discussion, John Scott-Railton, a senior researcher at Citizen Lab, unpacks the alarming implications of the NSO Group's spyware, Pegasus. He shares insights on how this invasive software is wielded by governments against journalists and activists, stirring ethical concerns about surveillance. The podcast reveals chilling cases, including the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, showcasing the urgent need for accountability in tech. Scott-Railton emphasizes vulnerabilities in mobile security and the challenges facing civil liberties in a digitally hostile world.
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Mansoor Targeted
- Ahmed Mansoor, a human rights activist, was targeted multiple times with spyware.
- He contacted Citizen Lab for help after receiving suspicious messages.
Zero-Day Discovery
- Citizen Lab discovered a zero-day exploit chain through Mansoor's text messages.
- This chain allowed for a remote jailbreak of fully patched iPhones.
NSO Group Profile
- NSO Group, founded by Niv, Shalev, and Omri, sells spyware to governments.
- Jack Rhysider tried to interview NSO for three years, but they refused.