Eight Greek citizens who were targeted with Predator spyware have filed a lawsuit against the surveillance technology manufacturer Intellexa and 13 individuals associated with the company. The plaintiffs are seeking approximately €7.6 million (about $8.7 million) in compensation for the alleged violation of their privacy, the confidentiality of their communications, and their personal data.
The lawsuit, filed on Tuesday, details the alleged structure, operation, and roles within the network of companies and individuals involved in the development, distribution, and use of the Predator spyware. According to their lawyer, Zacharias Kesses, this legal action represents a significant step toward holding all parties accountable and securing redress for the victims. A trial is scheduled to commence in April 2027.
The presence of Predator spyware on numerous phones in Greece first came to public attention in 2022. This revelation triggered a political scandal, leading to the resignations of Greece's intelligence service chief and the prime minister's chief of staff.
In February, a Greek court convicted Intellexa's founder, Tal Dilian, and three associates, sentencing them to over 126 years in prison for their involvement in the scandal. However, under Greek law, their sentences are capped at eight years, and they are permitted to remain free pending the outcome of an appeals process.
The plaintiffs in the current lawsuit include a former Meta security manager, financial journalist Thanassis Koukakis, two lawyers, a former director of the Hellenic Police’s Forensic Laboratories, the former head of a Greek intelligence agency, journalist Spyridon Sideris, and a former intelligence and law enforcement official.
Intellexa's founder, Tal Dilian, has previously stated that the company exclusively sells its spyware to government entities, including the Greek government and its national intelligence agency. He has asserted that Intellexa does not participate in target selection and claimed that the Greek government and intelligence agency engaged in a conspiracy to conceal their own misconduct.
The lawsuit aims to address the moral damages suffered by the victims due to the confirmed presence of spyware on their devices. The legal team intends to pursue accountability and compensation at both national and European levels.
