Watchdog ‘warned UK government of spyware infections inside 10 Downing Street’
- Citizen Lab said it warned officials that electronic devices connected to government networks appeared to be infected with the Israeli-made spy software Pegasus
- Israeli cyberarms dealer NSO Group, which produces Pegasus, said the allegations are ‘false and could not be related to NSO products’
Digital rights watchdog group Citizen Lab said on Monday it had warned British officials that electronic devices connected to government networks, including some inside the prime minister’s office and foreign ministry, appeared to be infected with Israeli-made spy software.
The spy software is known as Pegasus, a product of Israeli cyberarms dealer NSO Group, according to a blog post published by Citizen Lab.
“We confirm that in 2020 and 2021 we observed and notified the government of the United Kingdom of multiple suspected instances of Pegasus spyware infections within official UK networks,” the blog post reads.
An NSO spokesman said the allegations are “false and could not be related to NSO products for technological and contractual reasons.”
A British government spokesman said “we do not routinely comment on security matters.”