US Sanctions 'Predator' Spyware Maker Intellexa

The U.S. government has announced new financial sanctions against five individuals and a corporate entity associated with the spyware-making consortium Intellexa. These sanctions come months after the government sanctioned Intellexa's founder, Tal Dilian.

• The sanctions target senior Intellexa executives and associates alleged to be involved in the sale of Intellexa's phone spyware, known as Predator, to authoritarian governments.
• The Treasury Department claims that Predator has been used to target U.S. government officials, journalists, and opposition politicians.

Predator Spyware: A Powerful Tool for Surveillance

Predator is a sophisticated piece of spyware that can be used to hack into fully patched phones nearly invisibly. It gives the organization deploying the spyware complete access to the target's device, including their private messages and real-time location. The Treasury Department has accused Intellexa of selling Predator to governments that use it for surveillance and repression.

Individuals and Entities Sanctioned

The individuals and entities sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury include:

• Felix Bitzios, who owns an Intellexa consortium company that the Treasury says was used to supply Predator spyware to an unnamed foreign government.
• Merom Harpaz and Panagiota Karaoli, who hold senior positions in Intellexa's corporate structure.
• Andrea Nicola Constantino Hermes Gambazzi, who the Treasury says was involved in processing transactions for companies within Intellexa's consortium.
• The Aliada Group, a company based in the British Virgin Islands and a member of the Intellexa group of companies, was also sanctioned for enabling tens of millions of dollars in transactions for the spyware-making consortium.

US Government's Ongoing Efforts to Combat Spyware

The U.S. government has made it clear that it is committed to combating the commercial spyware industry. This latest round of sanctions is part of an ongoing effort to target entities involved in the development and sale of spyware that is used for malicious purposes. The government is also tracking money flows and movements to identify any attempts to avoid or circumvent the sanctions.

Consequences of Sanctions

The U.S. government-imposed sanctions make it illegal for U.S. individuals or businesses to transact with a sanctioned entity. This includes paying for access to spyware.

Impact on the Spyware Industry

The sanctions against Intellexa and its founder, Tal Dilian, have sent shockwaves through the spyware industry. Several people in the industry, including a former spyware executive, have expressed concerns about their own involvement in spyware and the possible repercussions they might face.

A Broad Approach to Combating Spyware

The U.S. government is taking a multifaceted approach to combatting spyware. This includes not only financial sanctions but also visa restrictions for individuals involved in the misuse of commercial spyware. The government is determined to hold accountable those who develop and sell spyware that is used to violate human rights and undermine democracy.