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WhatsApp has reported that 90 of its users, including journalists and civil society members, were targeted last year by spyware developed by Israeli company Paragon Solutions. This claim comes in the wake of WhatsApp's recent legal victory over NSO Group, another Israeli cybersecurity firm. The targeted individuals include Italian journalist Francesco Cancellato and activist Husam El Gomati, raising questions on how such cybertools are applied by government clients, including those in the United States.
Paragon Solutions' spyware, named Graphite, can reportedly hack smartphones without users' awareness, giving operators access to calls, photos, and encrypted messages. In response to the allegations, Paragon stated it maintains a "zero-tolerance policy" for misuse and has terminated a contract with Italy over violations.
David Kaye, former UN rapporteur on freedom of expression, noted that such military-grade surveillance products pose significant risks of abuse. Despite past safeguards, concerns linger about the federal government's potential use of such spyware, especially following reports that the ICE agency had a controversial $2 million contract with Paragon.