On January 31, a representative of Meta Platforms' WhatsApp disclosed that Israeli spyware firm Paragon Solutions had targeted numerous users, such as journalists and members of civil society. WhatsApp took action by issuing a cease-and-desist letter to Paragon. The company stated, "will continue to protect people's ability to communicate privately."
Paragon chose not to respond to the allegations. According to the WhatsApp representative, approximately 90 users were subject to hacking attempts, with targets in over two dozen countries, including Europe. These users received malicious documents requiring no interaction to compromise, utilizing a method known as a "zero-click hack."
WhatsApp successfully thwarted the hacking attempts and directed affected users to the Canadian internet watchdog group Citizen Lab. While the WhatsApp official did not reveal specifics about the targets, they mentioned collaborating with law enforcement and industry partners, without elaborating further.
John Scott-Railton from Citizen Lab underscored the concerning prevalence of spyware misuse, noting that companies like Paragon justify their services as tools for law enforcement and national security. Despite portraying itself as a responsible player, recent events question Paragon's ethics.
Natalia Krapiva from Access Now remarked on the industry's ethical challenges, indicating that Paragon's actions contradict its reputation. The FBI did not respond to requests for comment.