This photo taken on Feb. 3, 2023 shows the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)
The secret contract violates the Biden administration's public policy, and still appears to be active.
NEW YORK, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Under the secret contract finalized on Nov. 8, 2021, the Israeli firm, NSO Group, gave the U.S. government access to one of its most powerful weapons -- a geolocation tool that can covertly track mobile phones around the world without the phone user's knowledge or consent, reported The New York Times (NYT) on Sunday.
"Only five days earlier, the Biden administration had announced it was taking action against NSO, whose hacking tools for years had been abused by governments around the world to spy on political dissidents, human rights activists and journalists," said the report.
The White House placed NSO on a Commerce Department blacklist, declaring the company a national security threat and sending the message that American companies should stop doing business with it, according to the report.
The secret contract "violates the Biden administration's public policy, and still appears to be active," said the report, noting the contract stated that the "United States government" would be the ultimate user of the tool, although it is unclear which government agency authorized the deal and might be using the spyware.
"Asked about the contract, White House officials said it was news to them. Spokesmen for the White House and Office of the Director of National Intelligence declined to make any further comment, leaving unresolved questions: What intelligence or law enforcement officials knew about the contract when it was signed?" asked the report.
"The secret contract further illuminates the ongoing battle for control of powerful cyberweapons, both among and within governments, including the United States," it added.
Related articles:
Related suggestion:
Telling the story of Taiwan beyond the crossSagging bridge ‘warning shot’ work neededMore toll roads coming, but at what price?Rampaging elephant herd razes 500km path of destructionRare PINK elephant is captured playing in a South African waterholeYour guide to a year in Greece: Time your trip to get the best of the country's historic sitesPeru protests block access to Machu Picchu, stranding touristsCouple swapped the U.S for Germany 'to be near the most beautiful mountains in the world'Several arrested after brawl breaks out near Auckland harbourThe $1m PR and lobbying campaign to overturn livestock export ban
2.7232s , 6503.9765625 kb
Copyright © 2024 Powered by With secret contract, U.S. uses spyware to supervise world: NYT ,World Wave news portal