MEP Investigating Spyware Hacked With Pegasus

A former Member of the European Parliament, Stelios Kouloglou, had his mobile device repeatedly compromised with Pegasus spyware while he was a member of a committee investigating the misuse of such surveillance technology within the European Union. The findings were detailed in a report released by Citizen Lab.

Citizen Lab's forensic analysis of Kouloglou's device confirmed that attackers were able to gain access to its contents. This incident occurred during Kouloglou's tenure on the Special Committee on Artificial Intelligence in the Digital Age (AIDA), which included a mandate to examine the implications of spyware. The committee's work specifically addressed the potential for commercial spyware to be used for illicit surveillance and to undermine democratic processes.

The report indicates that the hacking attempts were sophisticated and targeted, leveraging vulnerabilities to install the Pegasus spyware. Pegasus, developed by the Israeli firm NSO Group, is a powerful surveillance tool capable of extracting data, tracking location, and activating microphones and cameras without the user's knowledge. The use of such spyware against a parliamentarian actively involved in its oversight raises significant concerns about the extent of its illicit deployment and the security of elected officials.

This revelation underscores the ongoing challenges in regulating and controlling the proliferation of advanced surveillance technologies. Citizen Lab has been a leading researcher in documenting the abuse of spyware by state and non-state actors globally. The incident involving Kouloglou highlights the risks faced by individuals, including policymakers, who are working to address the ethical and security implications of these powerful digital tools.