US State Department phones reportedly hacked with Israeli-made spyware
The apparent hack targeted US diplomats based in Uganda or officials whose work focused on the country.
At least nine US State Department employees' phones were hacked using software developed by Israeli cybersurveillance firm NSO Group, Reuters reported on Friday.
Citing sources familiar with the apparent cyberattack, the news agency reported the spyware targeted US diplomats based in Uganda or officials whose work focused on the country. Apple alerted the State Department employees, at least some of whom were American citizens, that their devices had been infected in recent months.
Reuters did not determine who was responsible for the intrusion.
NSO has been engulfed in controversy following revelations that its military-grade spyware has been used to successfully hack the smartphones of journalists, politicians, activists and business leaders around the world. Researchers say Pegasus, NSO’s signature software, can be used to remotely access a phone’s contents, camera and microphone.
