At least 10 countries around the world are reportedly using a new computer program to spy on journalists, opposition politicians and humanitarian activists.. A joint investigation by Microsoft and Citizen Lab revealed the working of this application created by quadruple dreama sneaky Israeli company.
Microsoft research shows that this company cyber mercenaries selling his platform espionageis known as REIGN for governments to use to ensure compliance with the law. However, another study from the University of Toronto Research Center identified at least five. victims Servers of the civil society operating from Bulgaria, United Arab Emirates, Ghana, Hungary, Israel, Mexico, Czech Republic, Romania, Singapore and Uzbekistan were also identified. Journalistic information shows that they also offer their services to Moroccan and Indonesian authorities.
This list of countries worries researchers because they have documented some of them using other spying tools to break security rules. human rights. This is the case in Mexico, the United Arab Emirates and Hungary, which are involved in the persecution of critical journalists, opposition politicians and activists. While they don’t know if the Israeli government used this tool, they do remember using others against Israel before. Palestinians.
pegasus method
QuaDream’s spying program benefited from: security vulnerabilities In versions of iOS 14.4 and 14.4.2, the operating system used by iOS products view— sending malicious calendar invitations and hacking into victims’ mobile phones.
This allows attackers to steal data, eavesdrop on calls, and activate the device’s camera and microphone. While not definitive, this technique may be overridden with new system updates.
This method is the same used by Pegasus, The most notorious of the espionage programs built in Israel, used against at least 65 people in the independence field. Catalonia, but also against the Spanish president Pedro Sanchez.
What do we know about QuaDream?
Little is known about QuaDream, which is not transparent and has no website. The investigation reveals that the company was founded by in 2016. Ian Dabelstein, Guy Geva And Nemrut Rinsky. The first is a former Israeli soldier who will become the company’s managing director and largest shareholder. The other two used to work before NSO Group, the company behind Pegasus. It is unknown if they are all still part of the project. He would be the last CEO Avi Rabinowitz.
Meta stated in its annual report that it has identified “about 250 accounts” that the Israeli firm will use to test its “hacking” capabilities. iphone who also use the operating system Android.
QuaDream will not sell its spyware directly to governments, but through a Cypriot company called InReach, Haaretz reports. This information shows Saudi Arabia It may also be among the company’s customers.