Israel used NSO spyware as diplomatic calling card

An Israeli judge imposed a gag order on Mexican rights activists so that their lawsuit against the company could be heard in secret.

A judge with a long background in military intelligence is overseeing a case brought by a Saudi dissident and friend of the murdered Washington Post columnist, Jamal Khashoggi. The friend claims NSO was aware of his own phone being targeted. The judge has declined to recuse himself, despite declaring a prior relationship with NSO’s lawyers.

“The impression that I get is that the government is eager to help them, especially when it comes to keeping the discussion away from any public scrutiny,” said Alaa Mahajna, the lead lawyer on both lawsuits.