Tuesday, 26 Aug 2025
America Age
  • Trending
  • World
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Money
    • Crypto & NFTs
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion / Beauty
    • Art & Books
    • Culture
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Font ResizerAa
America AgeAmerica Age
Search
  • Trending
  • World
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Money
    • Crypto & NFTs
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion / Beauty
    • Art & Books
    • Culture
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
© 2024 America Age. All Rights Reserved.
America Age > Blog > World > Israeli probe finds no sign of police abuse in spyware case
World

Israeli probe finds no sign of police abuse in spyware case

Enspirers | Editorial Board
Share
Israeli probe finds no sign of police abuse in spyware case
SHARE

JERUSALEM (AP) — An Israeli investigation found “no indication” that police illegally hacked the mobile phones of dozens of public figures, the Justice Ministry announced Monday, contradicting the key claims of a series of explosive investigative reports in a leading Israeli newspaper.

Israel’s attorney general ordered the investigation last month in the wake of the unsourced reports by the Calcalist business daily, which said police spied on politicians, protesters and even members of former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s inner circle, including one of his sons.

The paper said police used Pegasus, a controversial spyware program developed by the Israeli company NSO Group, without obtaining a court warrant.

In its announcement, the Justice Ministry said the investigation led by the country’s deputy attorney general found no evidence to support the claims.

“There is no indication that police deployed Pegasus software without a court order against people on the list published in the media,” it said, adding that NSO and government security experts assisted in the probe.

The investigation found that police received authorization to spy on the phones of three of the people on the list, but only one was successfully infiltrated. It said investigators looked into the use of a second type of spyware used by police and also found no signs of wrongdoing.

The Calcalist reports prompted a public uproar. The current prime minister, Naftali Bennett, said the allegations were “very serious,” and Netanyahu, who is on trial for alleged corruption, demanded a “strong and independent investigation” while trying to cast doubt on the charges against him. The country’s public security minister, who oversees the police force, has also formed a high-level government commission of inquiry.

Police officials, both former and current, have denied any wrongdoing. Those denials, along with the lack of evidence uncovered so far, have begun to draw scrutiny on Calcalist’s reports.

Its reporter, Tomer Ganon, has stood by his work. Over the weekend, he said he would continue to protect his sources. “I risked my good name not because of naivety, but because I checked the facts,” he wrote on Twitter.

Pegasus is a powerful tool that allows its operator to infiltrate a target’s phone and sweep up its contents, including messages, contacts and location history.

For NSO, which has faced mounting criticism over Pegasus, Monday’s report was a rare piece of good news. It said it hoped the conclusions “will result in reporting that no longer relies upon misinformation and political organizations issuing biased and prejudiced reports.”

NSO has been linked to snooping on human rights activists, journalists and politicians in countries ranging from Saudi Arabia to Poland to Mexico to the United Arab Emirates. In November, the U.S. Commerce Department blacklisted the company, saying its tools had been used to “conduct transnational repression.”

NSO says it sells the product only to government entities to fight crime and terrorism, with all sales regulated by the Israeli government.

The company does not identify its clients and says it has no knowledge of who is targeted. Although it says it has safeguards in place to prevent abuse, it says it ultimately does not control how its clients use the software.

NSO said the misuse of spyware “is a serious matter and all credible allegations must be investigated.” It called for “an international regulatory structure” to be put in place to “oversee issues raised by the misuse of cyber intelligence tools.”

Share This Article
Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article Putin orders troops into eastern Ukraine Putin orders troops into eastern Ukraine
Next Article Putin’s recognition of separatist territories calls for ‘swift and firm’ response, Blinken says Putin’s recognition of separatist territories calls for ‘swift and firm’ response, Blinken says

Your Trusted Source for Accurate and Timely Updates!

Our commitment to accuracy, impartiality, and delivering breaking news as it happens has earned us the trust of a vast audience. Stay ahead with real-time updates on the latest events, trends.
FacebookLike
TwitterFollow
InstagramFollow
LinkedInFollow
MediumFollow
QuoraFollow
- Advertisement -
Ad image

Popular Posts

David Beckham Shouts Out All 4 Children on Father’s Day Amid Son Brooklyn Drama

david beckham glad father's day to the children who made me one Together with You…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

Mainers gather in Portland to pray for peace in Ukraine

Feb. 28—Mainers gathered late Sunday afternoon at an Episcopal church in Portland to pray for…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

Durban flood survivors: South Africans homeless, hurt and heartbroken

Residents have been mourning as they face the loss of loved ones, churches, homes and…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

WHO says monkeypox risk assessed as ‘moderate’

Julia MustoJune 28, 2022, 6:27 AMThe World Health Organization (WHO) said Monday that the international…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

You Might Also Like

Finnish president says he hopes Trump’s endurance with Putin will run out quickly – Europe stay
World

Finnish president says he hopes Trump’s endurance with Putin will run out quickly – Europe stay

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
Victoria police capturing reside updates: suspect who allegedly killed two officers in ‘horrific’ assault escaped into bush and believed to be armed
World

Victoria police capturing reside updates: suspect who allegedly killed two officers in ‘horrific’ assault escaped into bush and believed to be armed

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
Trump says he needs ‘Department of War’ as a substitute of protection division – US politics stay
World

Trump says he needs ‘Department of War’ as a substitute of protection division – US politics stay

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
Australia politics dwell: Labor to take a position m in commerce expertise instructing; MP with autistic daughter reveals concern over NDIS modifications
World

Australia politics dwell: Labor to take a position $30m in commerce expertise instructing; MP with autistic daughter reveals concern over NDIS modifications

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
America Age
Facebook Twitter Youtube

About US


America Age: Your instant connection to breaking stories and live updates. Stay informed with our real-time coverage across politics, tech, entertainment, and more. Your reliable source for 24/7 news.

Company
  • About Us
  • Newsroom Policies & Standards
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Careers
  • Media & Community Relations
  • WP Creative Group
  • Accessibility Statement
Contact Us
  • Contact Us
  • Contact Customer Care
  • Advertise
  • Licensing & Syndication
  • Request a Correction
  • Contact the Newsroom
  • Send a News Tip
  • Report a Vulnerability
Terms of Use
  • Digital Products Terms of Sale
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Settings
  • Submissions & Discussion Policy
  • RSS Terms of Service
  • Ad Choices
© 2024 America Age. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?