How Hackers Are Exploiting Meet the team that investigates when journalists and activists get hacked with government spyware Right Now
What Is This About?
Overview
For more than a decade, dozens of journalists and human rights activists have been targeted and hacked by governments all over the world Cops and spies in Ethiopia, Greece, Hungary, India, Mexico, Poland, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates, among others, have used sophisticated spyware to compromise the phones of these victims, who at times have also faced real-world violence being intimidated, harassed, and in extreme cases, even murdered In the last few years, in the fight to protect these higher-risk communities, a team of a dozen digital security experts, mostly based in Costa Rica, Manila, and Tunisia, among other places, have played a key role
Why This Matters
They work for the New York-headquartered nonprofit Access Now, specifically its Digital Security Helpline Their mission is to be the team of people who journalists, human rights defenders, and dissidents can go to if they suspect they’ve been hacked, such as with mercenary spyware made by companies like NSO Group, Intellexa, or Paragon “The idea is to provide this 24/7 service to civil society and journalists so they can reach out whenever they have… a cybersecurity incident,” Hassen Selmi, who leads the incident response team at the Helpline, told TechCrunch
Key Insights
According to Bill Marczak, a senior researcher at the University of Toronto’s Citizen Lab who has been investigating spyware for almost 15 years, Access Now’s Helpline is a “frontline resource” for journalists and others who may have been targeted or hacked with spyware
The helpline has become a critical funnel for victims
Industry Impact
This development is expected to influence the technology industry, highlighting ongoing changes in innovation, competition, and adoption.
Final Thoughts
As the technology landscape continues to evolve, stories like this demonstrate why staying informed is increasingly important.
Why This Matters Right Now
This issue is becoming increasingly important as cost, risk, and long-term impact are drawing attention from businesses and users alike.
Real-World Impact
In real-world scenarios, this development could influence decision-making, technology adoption, and competitive positioning.
Risks and Limitations
Despite its potential, there are concerns related to scalability, security, regulatory challenges, and hidden costs.
Final Thoughts
Understanding this topic early can help readers make informed decisions and prepare for what comes next.
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