We also need better oversight.”Īs pointed out in the 2022 rule of law report, despite allegations related to the use of Pegasus, no investigation was launched by the Polish prosecution service. In ‘t Veld also said a proper legal framework is needed because “currently, it is different or absent across member states. Tariffs or fines could be used to compensate victims and protect the vulnerable. Wagner also raised the issue that victims of spyware abuse do not get redress or protection. Wagner presented multiple policy recommendations to the Pegasus committee, one of which was to prevent European governments from purchasing this technology by creating high tariffs and increasing transparency. The inquiry committee to investigate the use of the Pegasus spyware questioned a representative of the Israeli company behind the technology, the NSO Group, with questions but still many remain unanswered. “We should map out all the providers – there are many, but it’s very obscure, deliberately so, and impossible to retrace who is doing what,” in ‘t Veld added.ĮU Parliament’s Pegasus committee fires against NSO Group “Pegasus is just the tip of the iceberg”, he said.
Iceberg in spanish software#
Sophie in ‘t Veld, the Pegasus committee’s rapporteur, said that there are reasons to also look into Greece and its spyware use.īut Pegasus is just one software forming part of a larger spyware ecosystem, Ben Wagner, professor at the University of Technology Delft, emphasised. In France, Finland and Belgium, Pegasus’ use has been “forensically confirmed”, while in the Netherlands it is categorised as “possibly”, according to a recent study by the European Parliament. The German Federal Criminal Police Office confirmed acquiring and deploying a modified version of the Pegasus software. Top politicians targeted by the spyware include European Commissioner Didier Reynders, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and French President Emmanuel Macron.Ĭhaim Gelfand, a representative of the Israeli company behind the technology, NSO Group, admitted that the firm sold to at least five member states. Action is needed now,” Kristina Hatas, advocacy officer at Amnesty International, told EURACTIV. “One year later, the time for indignation and condemnation is over. However, one year has passed, and many victims, civil society, researchers and politicians are dissatisfied with the lack of progress made.
![iceberg in spanish iceberg in spanish](https://assets.awwwards.com/awards/submissions/2019/06/5d12c9b0e6287225254190.png)
While the use of cyber espionage technology is not new, the scandal raised alarm across Europe and triggered an EU inquiry committee f or Pegasus and other spyware. It soon became clear that democratic governments, too, have used Pegasus illegitimately. On 18 July 2021, an investigation by a collective of 17 media outlets, led by Amnesty International and Forbidden Stories, revealed how the spyware was sold to authoritarian regimes and used to target activists, politicians and journalists. One year after the breaking of the Pegasus scandal, many argue that there is still a way to go in terms of transparency, accountability and regulation.