HLHR.org
Saturday, January 28, 2023
  • HOME
  • WHO WE ARE
  • TAKE ACTION
  • NEWS
  • RESEARCH
  • IMPACT
  • RESOURCES
No Result
View All Result
  • HOME
  • WHO WE ARE
  • TAKE ACTION
  • NEWS
  • RESEARCH
  • IMPACT
  • RESOURCES
No Result
View All Result
hlhrorg
No Result
View All Result
Home Important

Israeli firm helping governments spy on people: Microsoft

July 16, 2021
0

The Israeli hacking firm Candiru has been providing government clients across the world with services that allow them spy on their citizens, Microsoft warns.

According to the #Microsoft report, more than 100 people, including politicians, dissidents, human rights activists, embassy workers and journalists from various countries have so been targeted ba #Candiru and its government customers.

READ ALSO

As world ages, UN calls for re-thinking on social protection

Baku summit – A summit held behind the curtains

The #Israeli hacker-for-hire firm is part of a growing industry of spyware companies that that help government intelligence services and law enforcement agencies to snoop on unsuspecting citizens without having to worry much about regulations because in most scenarios the law doesn’t address such issues.

The report suggests that most of Candiru’s customers have questionable human rights records, which shouldn’tcome as a surprise given what they have been hiring the company for.

The cybersecurity research group Citizen Lab, which identified people targeted by Candiru and helped Microsoft compile its report, stated that most of the customers are located in the Middle East. They buy the saying tools from Candiru and use them independently.

Microsoft and other tech giants have over the past years criticized the spyware industry and called for strict regulation over such products, including export bans. The company said it has patched major bugs in its software that Candiru used to spy on its users.

“A world where private sector companies manufacture and sell cyberweapons is more dangerous for consumers, businesses of all sizes and governments,” Cristin Goodwin, general manager of Microsoft’s Digital Security Unit, said in a blog post.

Citizen Lab researchers identified targets of Candiru’s spyware in Israel and the Palestinian territories, Iran, Lebanon, Yemen, Spain, the United Kingdom, Turkey, Armenia and Singapore.

“Every time we find one of these companies, it’s only a matter of time before we find abuses associated with them,” John Scott-Railton, a senior researcher at Citizen Lab, said. “We cannot allow authoritarian regimes to export self-censorship around the world, and that’s exactly what companies like Candiru are allowing them to do.”

It is not yet known what Candiru’s spying tools can do but it’s safe to assume that they probably allow users to intercept victims’ communications, steal their data, track their location and spy through microphones and cameras.

When tested, the tools proved effective against both Windows and Mac computers, as well as iPhone and Android smartphones.

The spyware was delivered to the victims through fake websites masquerading as international media, human rights organizations and other legitimate groups.

Human rights advocates have accused hacking firms of violating human rights and enabling harassment of government opponents.

In 2019, Facebook affiliate WhatsApp sued another Israeli firm called NSO, wold most notorious hacker-for-hire firm in U.S. federal court, accusing it of illegally helping governments hack hundreds of its customers.

Microsoft filed a brief supporting WhatsApp’s position in that case, which is still working its way through the legal system.

An NSO spyware was also used against Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi before he was killed by a government hit squad in 2018.

Candiru has maintained a high level of secrecy, including by changing its official corporate name four times during its six years in operation, according to a Citizen Lab report. The firm is now officially named Saito Tech Limited.

“Candiru has tried to remain in the shadows ever since its founding but there is no space in the shadows for companies that facilitate authoritarianism,” Bill Marczak, a senior fellow at Citizen Lab, said.

Governments have been increasingly hiring hacking firms to spy on their citizens.

Russia, for example, have been accused over the past few weeks of hiring underground hacking teams to disrupt America’s infrastructure and steal its secrets.

Related Posts

As world is ageing, UN calls for re-thinking on social protection
Important

As world ages, UN calls for re-thinking on social protection

January 24, 2023
Baku summit – A summit held behind the curtains
Important

Baku summit – A summit held behind the curtains

January 23, 2023
A glance at the human rights situations since January 2023
Important

A glance at the human rights situations since January 2023

January 20, 2023
Indonesian President regrets past violations
Important

Indonesian President regrets past violations

January 14, 2023
Blind assassinations by the MKO in the 1980s
Important

Blind assassinations by the MKO in the 1980s

January 11, 2023
The hidden supporters of the MKO
Important

The hidden supporters of the MKO

January 9, 2023

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

2 + 2 =

POPULAR NEWS

Palestinian detainees cross 100 days of boycotting Israeli courts

Palestinian detainees cross 100 days of boycotting Israeli courts

April 15, 2022
Analysis of Taliban offensive and necessary action

Analysis of Taliban offensive and necessary action

April 11, 2022
Taliban rule accompanied by killings and abuses

Taliban rule accompanied by killings and abuses

April 17, 2022
What was behind the death of Qatar's migrant workers?

What was behind the death of Qatar’s migrant workers?

April 21, 2022
Rights groups demand whereabouts of detained Egyptian journalist

Rights groups demand whereabouts of detained Egyptian journalist

April 24, 2022

EDITOR'S PICK

Guatemala's new law; prison sentence of 10 years for abortion

Guatemala’s new law; prison sentence of 10 years for abortion

March 14, 2022

Freedom of Expression; A mirage for Palestinians

May 16, 2021
Saudi coalition uses US made weapons to commit war crimes in Yemen

Saudi coalition uses US made weapons to commit war crimes in Yemen

January 28, 2022
Pegasus spyware targeting activists

Pegasus spyware targeting activists

March 10, 2022
HLHR.org

About HLHR

Ours is a familiar story. A group of friends from all over the world have come together to chase the dream many others have chased before and are religiously working to fulfill; a world where human lives and human rights are treasured.

Recent Posts

  • As world ages, UN calls for re-thinking on social protection
  • Baku summit – A summit held behind the curtains
  • A glance at the human rights situations since January 2023
  • Indonesian President regrets past violations
  • Blind assassinations by the MKO in the 1980s

Categories

No Result
View All Result

© 2021 HLHR.ORG All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • HOME
  • WHO WE ARE
  • TAKE ACTION
  • NEWS
  • RESEARCH
  • IMPACT
  • RESOURCES

© 2021 HLHR.ORG All rights reserved.