Amnesty: israeli NSO spying tools were used to track down Moroccan human rights activists

Israeli NSO spying tools have been used to track down two Moroccan human rights activists who are being chased by state authorities - a widespread investigation by Amnesty International has revealed. The NSO said in response: "We take the allegations seriously. We will investigate the matter."
According to an Amnesty report released last night, both activists received text messages containing malicious links intended to implant Pegasus, NSO's notorious espionage spyware. As previously reported, the damage can provide full access to all information on the device in real time In addition to this attack, Amnesty identified another hacking operation carried out through the cellular network itself to seize the device of one of the operatives, and the organization suspects that NSO is also involved in the attack.
According to a report by Amnesty, both activists received text messages containing malicious links intended to implant Pegasus, NSO's notorious espionage spyware. As previously reported, the damage can give the attacker full access to all information on the device, transfer real-time actions and calls In addition to this attack, Amnesty identified another hacking operation carried out through the cellular network itself to seize the device of one of the operatives, and the organization suspects that NSO is also involved in this attack.
At the same time, Amnesty found evidence of hacking or exploitation of the cellular network itself with a view to introducing device damage. "While analyzing the browsing history in Safari Browser's iPhone on a few Monjab, we found visits with suspicious links that did not originate from SMS or Wetsap," it said. "Safari records all browsing history in the repository stored on the device. The repository not only stores the links that the user has browsed, but also the source of each visit."
Amnesty said changes to the information permanently stored on the iPhone, and in particular the deletion of a file that documents reasons for crashing the device or applications a few seconds after the suspicious routing on the safari, is further evidence of Rugle's activities, and the deletion is intended to remove clearer evidence of its installation.
The organization notes that at this stage they do not have sufficient information to link NSO to the attack over the cellular network. "However," they add, "given the technical similarity to other Pegasus infections, the fact that Monjab was already a target for NSO software and the fact that NSO publishes the kind of capabilities used in this attack, there is reason to believe that NSO tools are used in this case as well." .
In May this year, Amnesty Israel petitioned the Tel Aviv District Court to order the Defense Ministry to revoke the NSO export license. "The new study further strengthens our position that the entire responsibility rests with the Israeli Ministry of Defense," Amnesty Israel CEO Molly Malkar said in a press release. "It must immediately revoke the NSO Group's security export permit, which declares glittering PR statements about an internal mechanism within the company designed to prevent the misuse of its products, but in practice continues to pose a threat to human rights worldwide." The hearing on the petition is expected to take place on November 7.
NSO said in response to Amnesty: "In accordance with our policy, we are investigating reports of illegal use of our products. If an investigation identifies use or potential for adverse human rights use, we act quickly and take appropriate measures, which may include immediate suspension or stopping. Of our customer use of our product, as we have in the past, we take these allegations seriously and investigate the issue in accordance with our policies.Our products are developed to help intelligence and law enforcement forces save lives.They are not tools for tracking down opponents or human rights activists. Our lets use the products We only legitimate purposes of prevention and investigation of crimes and terrorism. "