The Daily The U.S. Banned Spyware — and Then Kept Trying to Use It
33 snips
May 15, 2023 Mark Mazzetti, a Washington investigative correspondent for The New York Times, digs into the intriguing saga of NSO Group and its controversial Pegasus spyware. He reveals how, despite a U.S. ban, various government factions sought to utilize this powerful tool for alleged surveillance. The discussion covers the ethical dilemmas faced by the agency when using technology designed for lawful purposes but often misused to target journalists and activists. Mazzetti's insights shed light on the complex ties between the U.S. and surveillance firms.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
NSO's First Client and Its Double-Edged Success
- NSO's first client was Mexico, aiming to combat drug traffickers.
- A major success was capturing "El Chapo," but the tool was later misused against journalists and dissidents.
NSO's Global Expansion and Controversial Clients
- NSO expanded its clientele globally, including a $55 million deal with Saudi Arabia.
- Evidence suggests Pegasus was used to track associates of Jamal Khashoggi before his murder.
The U.S. Blacklist of NSO
- Western governments, including the Biden administration, called for an end to tools like Pegasus.
- In 2021, the U.S. blacklisted NSO, banning American companies from doing business with them.