CEO of Israeli Pegasus spyware firm NSO to step down

The indebted, privately owned company also said it would focus sales on countries belonging to the Nato alliance.

Pegasus spyware is used to infiltrate mobile phones and extract data or activate cameras or microphones.

NSO Group says the software is sold only to government agencies to target criminals and terrorists, and sales require Israeli government approval.

However, the spyware is alleged to have been deployed by foreign governments against dissidents, journalists, diplomats and members of the clergy. Its clients have included Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Hungary and India.

The Guardian and other members of the consortium also revealed that the mobile numbers of Emmanuel Macron, the French president, and nearly his entire cabinet were contained on a leaked list of individuals who were selected as possible targets of surveillance.

With Agence France-Presse