YIBADA

NSO Group sells invisible surveillance tools to governments

| Sep 05, 2016 07:43 AM EDT

An Israeli woman uses her iPhone in front of the building housing the Israeli NSO group, in Herzliya, near Tel Aviv on August 28, 2016

NSO Group Technologies, an Israeli software development company has introduced invisibly spying tools capable of intercepting activities from a smart-phone. Unlike some others, the Herzliya based company sells surveillance tools in addition to developing software.

These tools may transform a smart-phone into a secret recording device. The company has been acknowledged as a low profile company since its inception six years back and appears in focus while attempting to gain access through its spyware.

NSO Group profile reveals operational methods of its secretive digital surveillance unit. Unlike other digital surveillance outfits, the company markets its own services to governments and law enforcing agencies across the globe. It aims to make the world safer through tracking down terrorists, kidnappers and drug lords, reports The New York Times.

The computer security company follows strict vetting process in nominating eligible customers from a list of intenders. Following human rights ranking by World Bank and other global statutory bodies, an ethics committee comprising of employees and external counsel finalizes the list of eligible customers. However, there are widespread allegations for abuse of the surveillance tools in spying over journalists and human rights activists by the different government entities, learns Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette.

Bill Marczak, a senior fellow for the Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto's Munk School of Global Affairs comes down heavily over intended abuse of NSO's systems by governments. He also accuses governments for transforming the world into a place of massive surveillance in addition to making the place safer.

Following introduction of stronger encryption by Apple, Google, Facebook or others, demands for products of NSO Group are increasing day by day. Government agencies appear in desperate attempts in penetrating the encrypted devices while tracking down the suspects and NSO Group's surveillance tools appear on top of their choices. Greatest advantage for these products is they leave no trace of intervention by any mean.  

Due to rising terrorist activities and increasing use of encrypted devices, secretive surveillance devices are in great demand among different government agencies. NSO Group appears as the leading seller of these surveillance tools which claims for following a strict procedure in nominating potential customers. But experts criticize for alleged widespread abuse of these spy devices.

The following video exhibits some spy tools for androids and iPhones: 

Related News

Most Popular

EDITOR'S PICK