The NSO Group announced on its website Sunday that “a company-wide reorganization will consider all aspects of its business.” As a starting point, the CEO and creator of the infamous Pegasus spyware, Shalev Hulio to step downand passing the group’s operations – including the restructuring – to current COO Yaron Shohat.
According to the New York publication, the changes will make the NSO’s operations focus primarily on NATO countries, likely as a result of pressure from Western governments and other technology companies.
Shalev Hulio says the company’s products are still in high demand by governments and security forces. (Source: NSO Group / Reproduction.)source: NSO . group
Why is the NSO Group shrinking?
In November 2021, after journalists, activist groups, and opposition politicians from 50 countries reported spying on their smartphones, including in the United Kingdom and the United States, Joe Biden’s government decided to include the NSO in its feared dossier. Entity Listwhich practically prohibits American companies from doing business with the Israeli company.
A few days after the ban, Apple filed a lawsuit against the maker of Pegasus, holding it directly responsible for spying on Apple devices by various governments around the world. Therefore, Big Tech is seeking to block it in court Spyware developer to use their products for future research.
Despite the crisis, the NSO group is trying to keep up with appearances. “The company’s products remain in high demand by governments and law enforcement agencies due to its cutting-edge technology and proven ability to assist these customers in the fight against crime and terrorism,” said Interim CEO Yaron Shuhat. Even knowing that some customers are abusing the programIt guarantees that the technologies will be “used for lawful and dignified purposes”.
