Etienne - Tek
@tek.randhome.io
Technologist @ Human Rights Watch (previously Amnesty, Citizen Lab)
Malware, Threats, Online Investigations, Disinformation, Human Rights and silly memes.
On Mastodon: tek@todon.eu
Also on https://maynier.eu/
Malware, Threats, Online Investigations, Disinformation, Human Rights and silly memes.
On Mastodon: tek@todon.eu
Also on https://maynier.eu/
Hacktivist scrapes over 500,000 stalkerware customers' payment records https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/09/hacktivist-scrapes-over-500000-stalkerware-customers-payment-records/
Exclusive: Hacktivist scrapes over 500,000 stalkerware customers' payment records
More than half-a-million people who bought access to phone surveillance and social media snooping apps had their email address and partial payment card numbers published online.
techcrunch.com
February 9, 2026 at 7:55 PM
Hacktivist scrapes over 500,000 stalkerware customers' payment records https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/09/hacktivist-scrapes-over-500000-stalkerware-customers-payment-records/
Imputados por primera vez dos exdirectores de la Guardia Civil por el ‘caso Pegasus’ https://elpais.com/espana/catalunya/2026-02-09/imputados-por-primera-vez-dos-exdirectores-de-la-guardia-civil-por-el-caso-pegasus.html
Imputados por primera vez dos exdirectores de la Guardia Civil por el ‘caso Pegasus’
La exjefa del CNI Paz Esteban vuelve a ser investigada, por quinta vez, en una pieza que indaga también el uso del programa intrusivo Candiru
elpais.com
February 9, 2026 at 1:41 PM
Imputados por primera vez dos exdirectores de la Guardia Civil por el ‘caso Pegasus’ https://elpais.com/espana/catalunya/2026-02-09/imputados-por-primera-vez-dos-exdirectores-de-la-guardia-civil-por-el-caso-pegasus.html
Reposted by Etienne - Tek
Last week the story was that TikTok censored anti-Trump/ICE/Pretti videos after the U.S. ownership change. We investigated with a large set of US TikTok data and found some interesting results, short thread...
February 4, 2026 at 5:52 PM
Last week the story was that TikTok censored anti-Trump/ICE/Pretti videos after the U.S. ownership change. We investigated with a large set of US TikTok data and found some interesting results, short thread...
Homeland Security is trying to force tech companies to hand over data about Trump critics | TechCrunch https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/03/homeland-security-is-trying-to-force-tech-companies-to-hand-over-data-about-trump-critics/
Homeland Security is trying to force tech companies to hand over data about Trump critics | TechCrunch
The use of administrative subpoenas, which are not subject to judicial oversight, are used to demand a wealth of information from tech companies, including the owners of anonymous online accounts documenting ICE operations.
techcrunch.com
February 4, 2026 at 6:42 PM
Homeland Security is trying to force tech companies to hand over data about Trump critics | TechCrunch https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/03/homeland-security-is-trying-to-force-tech-companies-to-hand-over-data-about-trump-critics/
Notepad++ says Chinese government hackers hijacked its software updates for months | TechCrunch https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/02/notepad-says-chinese-government-hackers-hijacked-its-software-updates-for-months/
Notepad++ says Chinese government hackers hijacked its software updates for months | TechCrunch
The developer of the popular text editor Notepad++ said hackers associated with the Chinese government hijacked its software update mechanism to deliver tainted software to users for months.
techcrunch.com
February 3, 2026 at 2:56 PM
Notepad++ says Chinese government hackers hijacked its software updates for months | TechCrunch https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/02/notepad-says-chinese-government-hackers-hijacked-its-software-updates-for-months/
X offices raided in France as UK opens fresh investigation into Grok https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce3ex92557jo
X offices raided in France as UK opens fresh investigation into Grok
Elon Musk's X and Grok platforms are facing increased scrutiny from authorities on both sides of the channel.
www.bbc.com
February 3, 2026 at 2:49 PM
X offices raided in France as UK opens fresh investigation into Grok https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce3ex92557jo
Spyware maker is hijacking diplomatic efforts to limit commercial hacking, civil society warns | The Record https://therecord.media/spyware-maker-pall-mall-process-reputation
Spyware maker is hijacking diplomatic efforts to limit commercial hacking, civil society warns
Spyware maker NSO Group trumpeted the company’s participation in the Pall Mall Process, which drew criticism from civil society leaders and government officials who called out human rights abuses.
therecord.media
February 3, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Spyware maker is hijacking diplomatic efforts to limit commercial hacking, civil society warns | The Record https://therecord.media/spyware-maker-pall-mall-process-reputation
WhatsApp's Latest Privacy Protection: Strict Account Settings - WhatsApp Blog https://blog.whatsapp.com/whatsapps-latest-privacy-protection-strict-account-settings
WhatsApp's Latest Privacy Protection: Strict Account Settings
WhatsApp's new Strict Account Settings feature provides extreme security against sophisticated cyber attacks by locking privacy settings and blocking media from non-contacts.
blog.whatsapp.com
January 30, 2026 at 8:26 PM
WhatsApp's Latest Privacy Protection: Strict Account Settings - WhatsApp Blog https://blog.whatsapp.com/whatsapps-latest-privacy-protection-strict-account-settings
Tech giants head to landmark US trial over social media addiction claims | Technology | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jan/27/social-media-trial-meta-tiktok-youtube
Tech giants head to landmark US trial over social media addiction claims
Meta, YouTube and TikTok accused of making products intentionally addictive and harmful to young people
www.theguardian.com
January 27, 2026 at 9:36 PM
Tech giants head to landmark US trial over social media addiction claims | Technology | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jan/27/social-media-trial-meta-tiktok-youtube
Saudi Arabia ordered to pay £3m to London dissident over Pegasus spying https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/26/saudi-arabia-ordered-pay-london-dissident-pegasus-spying-ghanem-al-masarir
Saudi Arabia ordered to pay £3m to London dissident over Pegasus spying
High court finds kingdom responsible for hacking phones of Ghanem al-Masarir and for physical attack on him
www.theguardian.com
January 27, 2026 at 12:51 AM
Saudi Arabia ordered to pay £3m to London dissident over Pegasus spying https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/26/saudi-arabia-ordered-pay-london-dissident-pegasus-spying-ghanem-al-masarir
OONI Explorer - Uganda blocked social media following 2026 general election https://explorer.ooni.org/findings/352623460000
OONI Explorer - Uganda blocked social media following 2026 general election
This report shares OONI data on the blocking of social media and instant messaging apps in Uganda, following the country's 2026 general election.
explorer.ooni.org
January 23, 2026 at 9:46 PM
OONI Explorer - Uganda blocked social media following 2026 general election https://explorer.ooni.org/findings/352623460000
Spanish judge closes NSO Group spyware probe due to lack of cooperation from Israel | The Record https://therecord.media/spanish-judge-closes-nso-group-spyware-probe-israel
Spanish judge closes NSO Group spyware probe due to lack of cooperation from Israel
The case dates to May 2022, when the court launched a probe into the alleged spying on devices belonging to Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Defence Minister Margarita Robles.
therecord.media
January 23, 2026 at 5:16 PM
Spanish judge closes NSO Group spyware probe due to lack of cooperation from Israel | The Record https://therecord.media/spanish-judge-closes-nso-group-spyware-probe-israel
Ireland proposes new law allowing police to use spyware | TechCrunch https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/22/ireland-proposes-new-law-allowing-police-to-use-spyware/
Ireland proposes new law allowing police to use spyware | TechCrunch
The Irish government announced that it wants to pass a law that would grant police more surveillance powers, such as using spyware to fight serious crime, while aiming to protect the privacy rights of its citizens.
techcrunch.com
January 23, 2026 at 5:13 PM
Ireland proposes new law allowing police to use spyware | TechCrunch https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/22/ireland-proposes-new-law-allowing-police-to-use-spyware/
From Protest to Peril: Cellebrite Used Against Jordanian Civil Society - The Citizen Lab https://citizenlab.ca/research/from-protest-to-peril-cellebrite-used-against-jordanian-civil-society/
From Protest to Peril: Cellebrite Used Against Jordanian Civil Society - The Citizen Lab
Through a multi-year investigation, we find that the Jordanian security apparatus has deployed forensic extraction products manufactured by Cellebrite against civil society devices. We release these findings alongside reporting from the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) which includes interviews with a few of the victims.
citizenlab.ca
January 22, 2026 at 8:26 PM
From Protest to Peril: Cellebrite Used Against Jordanian Civil Society - The Citizen Lab https://citizenlab.ca/research/from-protest-to-peril-cellebrite-used-against-jordanian-civil-society/
A Comparative Look at Internet Shutdowns in Iran: 2019, 2022, 2025, and 2026 https://ioda.inetintel.cc.gatech.edu/reports/a-comparative-look-at-internet-shutdowns-in-iran-2019-2022-2026-and-2026/
A Comparative Look at Internet Shutdowns in Iran: 2019, 2022, 2025, and 2026
On January 8th, 2026, the Iranian regime implemented an Internet shutdown amidst national protests. This shutdown is the most sophisticated and most severe in Iran’s history. IODA's longitudinal view of global Internet connectivity provides insight into the Iranian regime’s developing sophistication in controlling information and shutting down the
ioda.inetintel.cc.gatech.edu
January 22, 2026 at 2:36 AM
A Comparative Look at Internet Shutdowns in Iran: 2019, 2022, 2025, and 2026 https://ioda.inetintel.cc.gatech.edu/reports/a-comparative-look-at-internet-shutdowns-in-iran-2019-2022-2026-and-2026/
The Minister of Justice claims he is being spied on with Pegasus (in Spanish) https://caracol.com.co/2026/01/13/el-ministro-de-justicia-denuncia-que-lo-estan-espiando/
El ministro de Justicia denuncia que lo están espiando
Andrés Idárraga tiene pruebas de contaminación de su teléfono con Pegasus. Las órdenes para acecharlo ilegalmente vendrían de miembros del Gobierno.
caracol.com.co
January 21, 2026 at 7:28 PM
The Minister of Justice claims he is being spied on with Pegasus (in Spanish) https://caracol.com.co/2026/01/13/el-ministro-de-justicia-denuncia-que-lo-estan-espiando/
How a hacking campaign targeted high-profile Gmail and WhatsApp users across the Middle East | TechCrunch https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/16/how-a-hacking-campaign-targeted-high-profile-gmail-and-whatsapp-users-across-the-middle-east/
How a hacking campaign targeted high-profile Gmail and WhatsApp users across the Middle East | TechCrunch
The phishing campaign targeted users on WhatsApp, including an Iranian-British activist, and stole the credentials of a Lebanese cabinet minister and at least one journalist.
techcrunch.com
January 19, 2026 at 8:37 PM
How a hacking campaign targeted high-profile Gmail and WhatsApp users across the Middle East | TechCrunch https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/16/how-a-hacking-campaign-targeted-high-profile-gmail-and-whatsapp-users-across-the-middle-east/
Reposted by Etienne - Tek
Internet of Iran continues to experience temporary partial restorations of service before reverting back to a shutdown for everyone but a few privileged individuals.
#DigitalBlackoutlran #IranRevolution2026
#DigitalBlackoutlran #IranRevolution2026
January 18, 2026 at 3:59 PM
Internet of Iran continues to experience temporary partial restorations of service before reverting back to a shutdown for everyone but a few privileged individuals.
#DigitalBlackoutlran #IranRevolution2026
#DigitalBlackoutlran #IranRevolution2026
Iran plans permanent break from global internet, say activists https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/17/iran-plans-permanent-break-from-global-internet-say-activists
Iran plans permanent break from global internet, say activists
Report claims unrestricted online access will be a ‘government privilege’, limited to individuals vetted by regime
www.theguardian.com
January 18, 2026 at 8:30 PM
Iran plans permanent break from global internet, say activists https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/17/iran-plans-permanent-break-from-global-internet-say-activists
Reposted by Etienne - Tek
Beginning to see signs of life for the internet of Iran! #DigitalBlackoutIran #IranianRevolution2026
An increase in traffic flowing into Iran began at 00:12 UTC (3:42am local) — note this restoration is still only currently at 0.2% of the bits/sec we were seeing prior to the shutdown on Jan-8.
An increase in traffic flowing into Iran began at 00:12 UTC (3:42am local) — note this restoration is still only currently at 0.2% of the bits/sec we were seeing prior to the shutdown on Jan-8.
January 17, 2026 at 1:19 AM
Beginning to see signs of life for the internet of Iran! #DigitalBlackoutIran #IranianRevolution2026
An increase in traffic flowing into Iran began at 00:12 UTC (3:42am local) — note this restoration is still only currently at 0.2% of the bits/sec we were seeing prior to the shutdown on Jan-8.
An increase in traffic flowing into Iran began at 00:12 UTC (3:42am local) — note this restoration is still only currently at 0.2% of the bits/sec we were seeing prior to the shutdown on Jan-8.
Iran’s internet shutdown is now one of its longest ever, as protests continue | TechCrunch https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/15/irans-internet-shutdown-is-now-one-of-its-longest-ever-as-protests-continue/
Iran’s internet shutdown is now one of its longest ever, as protests continue | TechCrunch
Iran’s government-imposed internet shutdown enters its second week as authorities continue their violent crackdown on protesters.
techcrunch.com
January 15, 2026 at 10:57 PM
Iran’s internet shutdown is now one of its longest ever, as protests continue | TechCrunch https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/15/irans-internet-shutdown-is-now-one-of-its-longest-ever-as-protests-continue/
Mobile data extraction: French startup takes on Israeli leader Cellebrite https://www.intelligenceonline.com/europe-russia/2026/01/15/mobile-data-extraction-french-startup-takes-on-israeli-leader-cellebrite%2C110601164-bre
France • Mobile data extraction: French startup takes on Israeli leader Cellebrite
French penetration testing specialist Synacktiv has plans to step on the turf of Israeli company Cellebrite, a leader in phone data recovery solutions.
www.intelligenceonline.com
January 15, 2026 at 2:40 PM
Mobile data extraction: French startup takes on Israeli leader Cellebrite https://www.intelligenceonline.com/europe-russia/2026/01/15/mobile-data-extraction-french-startup-takes-on-israeli-leader-cellebrite%2C110601164-bre
Reposted by Etienne - Tek
What we know about Iran’s Internet shutdown https://blog.cloudflare.com/iran-protests-internet-shutdown/
What we know about Iran’s Internet shutdown
Cloudflare Radar data shows Internet traffic from Iran has effectively dropped to zero since January 8, signaling a complete shutdown in the country and disconnection from the global Internet.
blog.cloudflare.com
January 13, 2026 at 8:52 PM
What we know about Iran’s Internet shutdown https://blog.cloudflare.com/iran-protests-internet-shutdown/
Ofcom investigates Elon Musk's X over Grok AI sexual deepfakes https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwy875j28k0o
Ofcom investigates Elon Musk's X over Grok AI sexual deepfakes
The watchdog said it had received reports of the platform's Grok AI chatbot creating undressed images of people.
www.bbc.com
January 13, 2026 at 2:27 PM
Ofcom investigates Elon Musk's X over Grok AI sexual deepfakes https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwy875j28k0o