Journalists, lawyers and activists hacked with Pegasus spyware in Jordan, forensic probe finds

By FRANK BAJAK
AP Technology Writer

A new report says Israeli-made Pegasus spyware was used in Jordan to hack the cellphones of nearly three dozen people, including journalists, lawyers and human rights activists. The digital rights group Access Now says the hacking with spyware made by Israel’s NSO Group occurred from 2019 until September. It didn’t accuse Jordan’s government of the hacking, and NSO Group won’t discuss its clients’ identities. Jordan’s government had no immediate comment Thursday. NSO Group says it only sells to vetted government agencies for use against serious criminals. But cybersecurity researchers have documented politically motivated abuse of the spyware in several countries. The U.S. government blacklisted the NSO Group in 2021.