Meta’s WhatsApp service has confirmed that Israeli spyware company Paragon Solutions targeted numerous users, including journalists and civil society members. WhatsApp sent a cease-and-desist letter to Paragon after detecting the hack, which affected about 90 of its users, reports Reuters.
Although the specific individuals or their locations have not been disclosed, WhatsApp stated that the targets included people in media and civil society. The company said it disrupted the hacking effort and referred the affected individuals to the Canadian internet watchdog group Citizen Lab.
Paragon, which declined to comment on the accusations, is known for selling surveillance tools to government clients. These tools are often marketed as essential for combating crime and ensuring national security. However, they have raised significant concerns after being found on the devices of journalists, activists, opposition politicians, and even U.S. officials.
Despite Paragon’s public efforts to position itself as an ethical spyware company, WhatsApp’s revelations suggest that the firm’s operations may not align with its claims. Natalia Krapiva, senior tech-legal counsel at the advocacy group Access Now, emphasized that the spyware industry as a whole continues to face scrutiny over its abuses.
