Last year, the Pegasus spyware scandal caused a global scandal. The investigation in France was entrusted on Friday to an investigating judge, according to AFP. This information comes from a source who is familiar with the matter.
In July 2021, the Paris prosecutor opened an investigation into the spying of French journalists. This included the penetration of telephones by the Israeli program Pegasus. The investigation was initiated by the Moroccan State which denies it. It followed a survey by 17 international media. The Pegasus software, which was designed by NSO Group in Israel, allowed for spying on at least 180 journalists and 600 politicians. It also allows for 85 human rights activists, 65 business leaders, and the tracking of up to 600 politicians. From different countries.
According to the prosecution, "judicial information was opened today against X by the cyber section at the Paris prosecutor’s office". This information relates to a wide range of possible offences including invasion of privacy and fraudulent use of "systems automatic data processing", some of which have been "implemented" by the State.
This investigation will include criminal association, invasions of privacy, and fraudulent use of "automated Data Processing Systems". Some of these systems are implemented by the state.
NSO was frequently accused of giving in to authoritarian regimes. However, it claimed that its software was used only to get information against terrorist or criminal networks. Pegasus, the Israeli defense must approve its export. It allows remote activation of the camera and microphones on a smartphone's cameras. It is sold mainly to governments.
These revelations caused outrage worldwide from media, human rights organizations and political leaders. Many of them took legal action to return the favor. "Cooperation with Israeli authorities will be necessary even if it's not without guarantee. The information should be sufficient to permit the summoning of NSO of the examining magistrate." Mes Vincent Brengarth, William Bourdon, who are lawyers for Reporters Without Borders, the National Union of Journalists, and other journalists, reacted.
This case has been the subject of numerous legal proceedings all over the globe. Apple announced that it had filed a US complaint against NSO in November, claiming that Pegasus was being used to target iPhone users.
