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Lawmakers Call For More Transparency For Apple Regarding NSO Group's Pegasus Spyware; Question FBI as Well

Tech Times: Joseph Henry

Washington, March 4, 2022

The US lawmakers are currently questioning Apple and the FBI about some information regarding the acquisition of Pegasus spyware, which the Israel-based group NSO has developed.

According to the letters signed by Rep. Mike Johnson and Rep. Jim Jordan, the concern also covers the use and the testing of the said spyware.

The two lawmakers were both ranking members on separate committees. Jordan is from the House Judiciary Committee while Johnson comes from the subcommittee on civil rights.

The NSO Group company logo is displayed on a wall of a building next to one of their branches in the southern Israeli Arava valley near Sapir community centre on February 8, 2022. - Israel's domestic spying scandal widened yesterday, with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett vowing government action following new reports that police illegally used the Pegasus malware to hack phones of dozens of prominent figures.

Prior to this report, The New York Times initially reported that the federal law enforcement agency completed the acquisition of the Pegasus spyware from the Israeli group, as well as the Phantom.

As we know, this tool can easily allow a user to gain access to the iPhone and other similar devices. In addition, NSO has previously attacked journalists and other civil rights members by targeting their handheld gadgets.

Meanwhile, the Phantom tool operates in a somehow similar manner with Pegasus. However, the main targets of this spyware are US-based phones. This capability is what appears to be lacking for the latter.

According to CNBC, Jordan and Johnson wrote a letter to Christopher Wray, the FBI director regarding the acquisition of these NSO-developed tools. The lawmakers stated that this situation is "deeply troubling," which might cause "significant" risk to the civil rights of the citizens.

In another article from Apple Insider, the pair of lawmakers also questioned Apple CEO Tim Cook about the company's take on the NSO Group tools. 

Specifically, they asked the tech boss regarding their ability to identify if any smartphones or devices have been attacked by the notorious spyware.

The letter indicated that the Cupertino giant should release a particular number of attacks that underwent tool detection. To add, the tech titan should also include when and where the incidents took place.

Furthermore, the letter also mentioned the company's "staff-level briefing" about the spyware with several government departments.

With that being said, the question also revolves around Apple's transparency about its security. CNBC recalled in a report that while the iPhone maker confirmed the patch for the Pegasus flaw, it's not further explained if there are still other ways to hijack a device other than that.

Back in January, an FBI spokesperson said in an interview with The Times that the agency was looking for new technologies. These will be used to fight crimes and safeguard Americans and their civil liberties.

To view the full letter about this issue, click here. 

In December 2021, Tech Times reported that NSO Group was suffering from financial problems. Based on the report, the Israeli firm was thinking of closing the entire organization amid criticism and pressure pressed by several US tech firms.

At that time, two investment funds were reportedly growing interested to buy the spyware.