US defence firm ends talks to buy NSO Group’s surveillance technology

White House opposition on security grounds seen as fatal obstacle to L3 Harris proceeding with purchase

The American defence contractor L3 Harris has abandoned talks to acquire NSO Group's surveillance technology after the White House said any potential deal raised serious counterintelligence and security concerns for the US government".

The White House opposition, which was first reported by the Guardian and its media partners last month, was seen as an insurmountable obstacle to any transaction, according to a person familiar with the talks who said the potential acquisition was now certainly" off the table.