A smartphone with the website of Israel's NSO Group. JOEL SAGET - AFP |
The move announced by Israel’s Defense Ministry was the
latest step in stepping up its surveillance over concerns over possible
overseas abuse of a hacking tool sold by Israeli companies like NSO Group.
An updated certificate to be signed by procuring countries
lists in detail what qualifies as “terrorist acts” – such as attacks on people,
public facilities, aircraft seizures, the release of dangerous substances – as
well. as “serious crimes” referring to those which justify imprisonment of six
years or more.
“The definitions of serious crimes and terrorist acts have
been refined in order to avoid the blurring of borders in this context,” the
defense ministry said.
It also spells out prohibited uses – like targeting people
for political affiliation or apps that violate that country’s privacy laws –
for which Israel could revoke licenses and systems shut down.
Israel has been under pressure to curb spyware exports since
July, when a group of international news agencies reported that NSO’s Pegasus
tool had been used to hack the phones of journalists, government officials and
militants. human rights in several countries.
These reports prompted Israel to review the cyber-export
policy administered by the Defense Ministry.
Last month, Israel reportedly narrowed down the list of
countries eligible to purchase its cybertechnologies.
NSO has denied any wrongdoing, saying it only sells its
tools to governments and law enforcement agencies and has safeguards in place
to prevent abuse. © Reuters
0 comments:
Post a Comment