NSO Group has disabled the possibility of hacking UK phones in Pegasus
Alexander Antipov
Pegasus spyware was allegedly used by the ruler of Dubai to hack his ex-wife’s phones.
Israeli spyware developer NSO Group has stopped its Pegasus software from attacking cellphones with UK numbers. Pegasus also cannot be used against phone numbers in Israel, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. The last five countries form the Five Eyes Intelligence Alliance (FVEY).
According to The Guardian, the changes came into effect after Pegasus spyware was allegedly used by the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to hack the phones of his ex-wife Princess Haya and his lawyers during of a legal battle for custody of their two children.
Sheikh Mohammed, who is also the Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, has given his “express or implied right” to hack the phones of the Princess and her lawyers using the NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware, a UK court said. The software is licensed exclusively by national states for use by their security services.
Sheikh Mohammed cannot confirm or deny in court that the UAE has a contract with the NSO Group to use the Pegasus software.
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