The United States has announced new sanctions against a commercial spyware company known as Intellexa Consortium, led by a former Israeli military officer. The company's spyware program, Predator, has raised concerns due to its ability to access almost any information stored on smartphones.
According to U.S. officials and private researchers, Intellexa's products have been utilized in mass surveillance campaigns globally, enabling users to track and obtain sensitive information from dissidents, journalists, political candidates, and opposition figures.
The sanctions target five individuals and one organization associated with Intellexa, a Greece-based network with subsidiaries in various countries. Predator, the spyware tool developed by Intellexa, allows unauthorized access to a target's device without the need for the user to click on a link or attachment.
The program grants access to the device's camera, microphone, and stored data or files once compromised. Bradley T. Smith, acting undersecretary of the Treasury for terrorism and financial intelligence, emphasized the U.S.'s stance against technologies that threaten national security and undermine citizens' privacy and civil liberties.
Earlier this year, several subsidiaries of Intellexa and two employees, including its founder Tal Dilian, were sanctioned by the Biden administration. The Commerce Department had previously blacklisted Intellexa and one of its subsidiaries, restricting their access to U.S. technology.
The new penalties target individuals who held senior positions at Intellexa or its subsidiaries. The Aliada Group, another subsidiary based in the British Virgin Islands, was also sanctioned for facilitating financial transactions totaling tens of millions of dollars for Intellexa.
Amnesty International's Security Lab reported that Predator had been used to target high-profile individuals such as the president of the European Parliament, the president of Taiwan, and U.S. lawmakers. The misuse of spyware led to the resignation of top government officials in Greece.
Individuals and organizations under sanctions are prohibited from engaging in business or financial transactions within the U.S. or with U.S. entities. The U.S. government remains committed to addressing the misuse of spyware and protecting national security interests.
