Macworld - UK (2022-02)

(Antfer) #1
February 2022 • Macworld 5

services, or devices.
The Pegasus spyware came
to light after a Washington Post
report uncovered a global spyware
operation targeting iPhones and
Android phones. The investigations,
which were conducted in conjunction
with non-profit groups Citizen
Lab, Forbidden Stories, Amnesty
International and other human
rights groups, found that military
grade spyware was used to hack
dozens of phones belonging to
“journalists, human rights activists,
business executives and two women
close to murdered Saudi journalist
Jamal Khashoggi”.
Though it was extremely unlikely
that the spyware had infected more
iPhones that the small number that
were targeted, Apple patched the
vulnerability in iOS 14.7.1. Apple is now
seeking unspecified compensation
for NSO Group’s “flagrant violations
of US federal and state law”. Apple
claims that NSO Group creates
“sophisticated, state-sponsored
surveillance technology that allows
its highly targeted spyware to surveil
its victims”.
Apple also announced that
it will be donating $10 million as
well as any damages received
from the lawsuit to organizations


specializing in “cybersurveillance
research and advocacy”. It will also
support Citizen Lab with “pro-bono
technical, threat intelligence, and
engineering assistance to aid their
independent research mission, and
where appropriate, will offer the same
assistance to other organizations
doing critical work in this space”.
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