NSO: Security company NSO, responsible for the Pegasus protection and espionage platform, evaluates options that could determine the future of the company. The information comes from Bloomberg, which has heard sources related to the case.
Several discussions are underway and alternatives considered include closing the doors for good or selling the company by Israelis to two US investment groups, who would inject up to $200 million to restructure the company. In addition, Pegasus would be pulled from sale and later re-released, but only as a defense against cyber-attacks.
The goal would be to try the NSOs name and starting over in the market – initially the company defended itself against recent allegations and even blamed its own customers, who are alleged to be responsible for the illegal use of the contracted service. Searched by the original report, the parties involved have not responded or indicated that they have no comment.
The Power of Pegasus
Pegasus is a spyware often used as a defense mechanism, but several governments have allegedly hired the service to spy on political enemies, businessmen, activists and journalists.
The platform is able to guarantee access to mobile phones, even if they are highly secured, by intercepting text messages, photos, GPS and activating a camera and microphone without requiring permission. In Brazil, Lava Jato is said to have considered using the software in an investigation.
Like many concerned experts, Edward Snowden, a former CIA operative and NSA spy officer, has called for a global ban on the service. Currently, Pegasus is on a “limited list” in the United States and sales have been suspended.