A former Member of the European Parliament who was part of a committee investigating spyware was himself targeted with the Pegasus surveillance tool, according to a report by Citizen Lab. Stelios Kouloglou's mobile device was reportedly compromised multiple times.
Kouloglou was a member of a special committee established by the European Parliament to investigate the use of spyware, including Pegasus. This committee was formed in response to revelations about the widespread misuse of such surveillance technology against journalists, activists, and politicians across Europe and globally.
The discovery of the Pegasus infection on Kouloglou's device raises significant concerns about the potential for state-sponsored surveillance to infiltrate legislative bodies and target individuals involved in oversight and inquiry into such activities. The timing of the hacks, while he was actively involved in the spyware investigation, is particularly noteworthy.
Pegasus, developed by the Israeli firm NSO Group, is a sophisticated spyware capable of extracting vast amounts of data from a targeted device, including messages, emails, call logs, and location data, and can even activate the device's microphone and camera without the user's knowledge. NSO Group maintains that its product is sold only to vetted government intelligence and law enforcement agencies for the stated purpose of combating terrorism and serious crime.
The Citizen Lab report details the repeated nature of the intrusions, suggesting a persistent effort to monitor Kouloglou's communications and activities. The specific dates and methods of these hacks were not detailed in the provided information, but the repeated targeting indicates a sustained interest in the former MEP.
The European Parliament has been a vocal critic of spyware use and has taken steps to address the issue, including the formation of committees like the one Kouloglou served on. This incident underscores the challenges faced by lawmakers and oversight bodies in protecting themselves from the very tools they are investigating.
The implications of a parliamentarian involved in spyware oversight being targeted are far-reaching, potentially undermining the integrity of legislative investigations and creating a chilling effect on free speech and political discourse. It raises questions about who authorized the deployment of Pegasus against Kouloglou and for what purpose.
While the source material does not specify any immediate actions taken by the European Parliament or Kouloglou following the discovery, such incidents typically prompt calls for further investigation, increased security measures for officials, and stronger regulatory frameworks to prevent the misuse of surveillance technology.
