Israeli spyware is helping Mexico hunt down journalists

[LessAspin]

The Cartel Project | Leading Mexican Journalist Targeted by Israeli NSO's Spyware, Global Investigation Reveals
Despite repeated scandals, the global cyber-surveillance industry continues to supply Mexico with more and more invasive technologies. Multiple journalists have been targeted by these tools, including by NSO's Pegasus

This article is part of the Cartel Project, a series of investigations coordinated by Forbidden Stories, whose mission is to continue the work of journalists who have been killed. The story and others are being published across the world by 25 news outlets after a 10-month investigation by 60 journalists.

It was a message that almost went unnoticed. But behind the message hid a state-of-the-art surveillance operation. Or at least that was the intention. In the spring of 2016, Mexican journalist Jorge Carrasco was wrapping up a months-long investigation of the Panama Papers for Proceso magazine. When his research into Mexican customers led him to the notorious Panamanian business firm Mossack Fonseca, he received a text message from an unknown number: “Hello Jorge. I am sharing this memo that Animal Politico published today. I think it’s important to reshare.” The message came with a link. “Who is this?” Carrasco texted back. The sender never responded. ...

https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/tech-news/.premium-leading-mexican-journalist-targeted-by-israeli-nso-s-spyware-1.9353534

Link to tweet

[Mike 03]

1. Terrifying. "Today no user action is needed"...

In 2019, it was revealed that the Israeli company was using a flaw in the messaging platform WhatsApp. Today, no user action is needed thanks to nearly invisible redirects of internet traffic. Once an attack is successful, the customer can view everything on the targeted phone.

[Mike 03]

2. Another sentence

Countries like Mexico insist they need to equip themselves against powerful organized crime groups. “We have seen a narrative that has reduced the security issues in Mexico and the violence related to organized crime as an excuse, as a selling point to spend large sums of money in acquiring technology allegedly to be used under this context,” explained Luis Fernando García, director of RD3, a digital rights organization. “Even though, as we know in Mexico, the line between organized crime and the government is nonexistent or frequently very blurry.”

The problem is that line in bold is true of an increasing number of countries.

[sandensea]

4. They have a similar - though less widely-reported - problem in Argentina

Like his friend Peña Nieto (for whom Macri reportedly moved the 2018 G-20 summit up a week, so he could attend), former President Mauricio Macri availed himself of Isreal's Pegasus software.

Which he promptly used to spy on numerous journalists and other public figures - besides an unprecedented use of wiretapping, informants and stakeouts traditional to Argentina's antiquated intelligence services.

He acquired Pegasus during Bibi's state visit in 2017, during mid-term elections that year, with a similar excuse: preventing organized crime and possible "destabilization" by opponents.

Shortly after the elections, a rash of cell phone videos showing well-known media figures in embarrassing exchanges with girlfriends or mistresses (i.e. dick pics and such) began emerging.

All were of media figures who had initially been supportive of the right-wing Macri - but which by 2017 had been calling his policies into question.

(indeed, in April 2018 Macri's debt bubble collapsed - the "Macrisis" which followed affecting Argentina to this day)

No surprise, since Macri was known as the "Trump of the Pampas" for his vindictiveness - besides his right-wing views.

[Judi Lynn]

6. Surely glad you added Macri used the expertise of the same people. It truly does figure.

He wreaked all kinds of monstrous havoc in the time he had before his term was over.

Israel of course is wildly, lavishly funded by the US taxpayers, whether they like it or not.

Thanks for the information about the bond between Macri and Peña Nieto. It really would stand to reason, wouldn't it? Creepy!

[alwaysinasnit]

3. k&r for visibility

[LessAspin]

5. OT

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

[Judi Lynn]

7. What a shame to learn the Israelis are horning in on suppression of Mexican journalists now.

They are so out of line, out of place, and people of conscience are out of luck, clearly.

Very strange seeing this wierdness going global.

Thank you for the information.