Since the 1970s, Israel has been widely recognized for its advanced security landscape and its reputation as a nation deeply involved in intelligence and surveillance. Today, the Hebrew State is applying Pegasus-like capabilities through a broad surveillance program. The most publicized objective has been the search for hundreds of kidnapped citizens, including individuals tied to Hamas.
On October 7, the paramilitary wing of the Palestinian group carried out what many describe as its deadliest assault on Israel, taking the lives of nearly a thousand civilians in a short span. In the months that followed, Israeli security agencies leaned on the country’s robust technology sector to deploy intelligence tools for espionage and hostage recovery. Industry insiders and outlets like Bloomberg have corroborated this shift toward heightened digital surveillance in response to evolving security threats.
Pegasus refers to a sophisticated software tool capable of infiltrating electronic devices covertly. Once it breaches a device, it can access communications, make copies, activate microphones, and utilize cameras without the user’s knowledge. This kind of malware is associated with the NSO Group, an Israeli company whose flagship product has sparked intense debates about privacy, legality, and human rights.
NSO Group has collaborated with various organizations, sometimes offering services at little to no cost to support defense and security efforts. Critics have described a venture ecosystem that includes the creation of secure rooms for tracking devices tied to missing persons or suspected terrorists. Other players in the same field include Candiru, another cybersecurity firm known for similar capabilities.
Controversial espionage
Pegasus’ powerful reach has made it a contentious yet highly coveted instrument of statecraft. Governments such as Bahrain, Mexico, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Hungary, and India have reportedly employed these services to monitor political opponents, critical journalists, and human rights advocates, according to multiple studies by Citizen Lab. In some cases, these operations have intersected with tragic outcomes, including the killing of journalists.
In Spain, Pegasus gained notoriety after a 2020 investigation revealed its use against the Catalan Parliament’s president, Roger Torrent, and other officials. Reports indicated that dozens of individuals linked to Catalan independence movements were targeted, with access to the spyware discovered by authorities. Allegations have also pointed to possible involvement by foreign intelligence services.
Beyond regional debates, Israel’s use of Pegasus has raised questions about the balance between national security and civil liberties. Research from Citizen Lab and Amnesty International has documented cases where the tool appeared to target Palestinian activists and journalists for groups such as Al Jazeera in the region.
Pressure on the USA
Recently, NSO Group intensified its lobbying efforts in Washington to persuade the United States to lift certain blacklists affecting its technology. The Biden administration had previously flagged Pegasus as a potential national security risk, leading to prohibitions on American companies doing business with the manufacturer. Public sector restrictions extended to government agencies, limiting access to the tool.
These regulatory actions created significant challenges for the company. In response, NSO Group has undergone leadership changes, reduced its workforce, and raised prices to reassure investors over the past two years. The firm carries substantial debt, reported to be around several hundred million dollars, prompting strategic shifts as it seeks new markets. There have even been insinuations that the company has sought political support linked to broader security dynamics, as reported by investigative outlets. Some European governments are also said to be reviewing sanctions and policy responses.