FBI Admits it Acquired NSO's Pegasus Spyware in 2019
fliptop writes:
Despite confirming its purchase, the bureau claims Pegasus was never used in any FBI investigation:
According to the report, the deal struck between the FBI and NSO was a one-year test project worth around $5 million. Despite "not using it at all... like, not even switching it on," according to a source, the FBI renewed the contract for another year, bringing the deal up to $9 million.
The deal was agreed upon following a "long process" of disagreements on how much control NSO Group would retain over its software, a source told The Guardian. The FBI reportedly took issue with NSO's policy of keeping sensors on its technology in order to be alerted if it was moved by a government client and to keep track of its physical location.
In addition, the bureau was reportedly wary of allowing NSO engineers to install Pegasus on FBI computers, instead agreeing to keep the spyware in a large container.
The FBI stated it bought access to NSO's spyware in order to "stay abreast of emerging technologies and tradecraft."
Previously on SN:
- Researchers Call NSO Zero-Click iPhone Exploit "Incredible and Terrifying"
- American Diplomats' iPhones Reportedly Compromised by NSO Group Intrusion Software
- Apple Sues NSO Group for Providing Software to Hack iPhones
- U.S. Places Sanctions on NSO Group, Peddler of Pegasus Spyware
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