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FBI admits it acquired NSO's Pegasus spyware in 2019
[Jpost] Despite confirming its purchase of NSO's spyware, the bureau claimed Pegasus was never used in any FBI investigation.The Federal Bureau of Investigation acquired Israeli tech company NSO Group's Pegasus spyware for $9 million in 2019, the US agency confirmed to UK news outlet The Guardian on Wednesday. But Pegasus was never used in any FBI investigation, the bureau claimed, adding that it "procured a limited license for product testing and evaluation only." 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." Related: Pegasus spyware: 2022-01-31 FBI spent two years considering whether to buy clandestine spyware Phantom that can hack into ANY phone in the US Pegasus spyware: 2021-11-08 Palestinian activists hacked by Israeli firm NSO spyware Pegasus spyware: 2021-07-28 Chicago mayor defends granting interviews only to reporters of color Posted by: Skidmark 2022-02-02 |
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