Israeli spyware firms are fueling the global surveillance state
The use of Israeli-made spyware by Western agencies is a growing concern, with far-reaching implications for civil liberties around the world. A new survey of spyware firms reveals that Israeli companies are being used by agencies in Western nations to build "perfect dictatorships" under democratic guise.
The Pegasus hacking tool was just the beginning
In 2019, a scandal involving the NSO Group, an Israeli firm founded by ex-Unit 8200 officers Shalev Hulio and Omri Lavie, brought international attention to the use of spyware. The company's Pegasus software was found guilty in a California court of selling its services to governments so they could hack WhatsApp accounts.
The consequences of this scandal were severe, with many dissidents, human rights activists, and journalists falling victim to surveillance. The use of Pegasus has been linked to the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was allegedly spied on by Saudi agents using the software before his assassination.
A New Wave of Surveillance Companies
Other Israeli spyware firms, such as Candiru and Cytrox, have also been implicated in scandals involving the use of spyware for surveillance and hacking.
Candiru was founded by Tal Dilian, a former IDF chief commander who has spent 24 years in the military. The company's software was used to remotely hack phones within seconds, as demonstrated by Forbes journalist.
Cellebrite: A Leading Player in Surveillance Technology
Cellebrite is one of the leading players in surveillance technology, with a range of products that can extract data from smartphones and other devices. The company has contracts with numerous Western agencies, including ICE, Customs & Border Protection, and the FBI.
Cellebrite's flagship tool, the Universal Forensic Extraction Device (UFED), is capable of extracting data from a range of devices, including smartphones, pads, SIM cards, and GPS devices.
Cobwebs Technologies: A New Player in the Surveillance Market
Cobwebs Technologies was founded by former IDF Unit 8200 officers Omri Timianker, Udi Levy, and Shay Attias. The company offers AI-powered services that enable facial and image recognition across social media and the deep web.
Cobwebs' services include geofencing, which enables the tracking of mobile phone movements in a specific area selected by the user. This capability is enabled by in-app advertising that pulls personal data from smartphones.
Cognyte: A Network Intelligence Company
Cognyte is a network intelligence company that offers tools for analyzing and connecting dots on communications networks. The company has contracts with numerous Western agencies, including national security agencies and militaries.
Cognyte's services include the analysis of telecom metadata, messaging platforms, phone calls, and network signals to spot patterns and anomalies in communications.
Israeli Facial Recognition Company Corsight AI
Corsight AI is an Israeli company that specializes in facial recognition technology. The company has sold its software to numerous police forces around the world, including Essex Police in the UK and Bogota's metropolitan police.
Corsight's software has been deployed during the genocide of Gaza and has been linked to numerous human rights abuses.
NICE: A Leading Provider of Surveillance Technology
NICE is an Israeli company that specializes in surveillance technology, including license plate recognition, face capture, and hand-held GPS-based video terminals.
NICE has captured the market for identifying financial fraud, serving 85% of the Fortune 500 and numerous European regulators. The company's products have been used to surveil citizens around the world.
Black Cube: A Notorious Spy Agency
Black Cube is a notorious spy agency founded by ex-Unit 8200 intelligence spooks Dan Zorella and Avi Yanus. The company has been linked to numerous spying scandals, including the hiring of Hollywood rapist Harvey Weinstein.
Black Cube has employed western diplomats, including Canada's former ambassador to Israel, Vivian Bercovici.
A Distinct 21st Century Fascism
The use of Israeli-made spyware by Western agencies is a growing concern that demonstrates the threat to civil liberties in the world today. Israel's apartheid economy and military culture are driving this trend, which seeks to surveil and suppress dissent.
We must be aware of this threat and take action to prevent it from spreading further. The use of Israeli spyware by Western agencies is a clear example of how the drive for security can lead to authoritarianism and the suppression of civil liberties.