The focus of the investigation is to examine whether the company has acted in accordance with the permits and powers granted to it by the Export Control Division of the Ministry of Defence.
Israel has launched an investigation into allegations of wrongdoing against NSO Group in the Pegasus snooping scandal, with officials inspecting the cybersecurity company’s offices over alleged misuse of its spyware by several government customers, raising eyebrows around the world .
A spokesman for Israel’s Defense Ministry said representatives of several bodies visited the NSO’s office on Wednesday to assess the allegations made in relation to the company.
When asked to share the details, he told PTI that “we are not going to elaborate at this point of time”.
Local media reports said the inspecting bodies are the Export Control Division of the Defense Ministry and the National Security Council, which are also authorized to conduct investigations if necessary.
The report said the focus of the investigation is to examine whether the company has acted in accordance with the permits and powers granted to it by the Export Control Division of the Ministry of Defence.
Mercury Public Affairs, which represents the NSO group, said in a statement: “We can confirm that representatives of the Israeli Defense Ministry visited our offices. We welcome their inspection.”
“The company is working in complete transparency with the Israeli authorities. We are confident that this inspection will prove that the facts have been repeatedly declared by the company against the false allegations leveled against us in recent media attacks. “
The alleged use of Pegasus software to spy on journalists, human rights defenders, politicians and others in several countries, including India, has raised concerns over privacy-related issues.
According to an international media association, politicians, rights activists and journalists were among those targeted by phone spyware sold by the Israeli firm to various governments.
Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz visited Paris on Wednesday amid reports of spyware being used against French President Emmanuel Macron and assured his French counterpart Florence Parly that Jerusalem was taking the issue “seriously”.
“Minister Gantz addressed the topic of NSO and said that Israel is taking the allegations seriously. He added that the State of Israel would limit the export of cyber products specifically to government entities, for lawful use and only to prevent and prevent crime. Approves for the purpose of investigating and combating terrorism, ”said a spokesman for the Minister of Defense of Israel.
“He also told Minister Parly that officials visited the NSO’s office (Wednesday) and that Israel is thoroughly investigating the allegations,” he said.
Israel last week set up a committee to review NSO Group’s allegations of misuse of surveillance software and indicated a potential “review of the entire licensing issue”.
“The defense establishment has appointed a review committee made up of several bodies,” the head of the Knesset’s foreign affairs and defense committee, lawmaker Ram Ben-Barak, had announced without sharing more details.
“When they complete their review, we will seek to see the results and assess whether we need to improve,” said Ben-Barak, formerly the former deputy head of Israel’s Mossad spy agency.
He then insisted that Israel’s priority was to “review this whole issue of licensing”.
NSO Chief Executive Officer Shalev Hulio welcomed the move in an interview to Army Radio, saying he would be very happy if there is an investigation so that we can clear our name.
Hulio claimed there was an attempt to “smear the entire Israeli cyber industry”.
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