Vas Panagiotopoulos
@vaspanagiotopoulos.com
Journalist interested in #surveillance & #pressfreedom | Contributor: @wired.com | @ftm.eu | Covers 🇬🇷 for @rsf.org | Researcher: @deakinuniversity.bsky.social
☏ Signal: vas.99
http://vaspanagiotopoulos.com
☏ Signal: vas.99
http://vaspanagiotopoulos.com
Pinned
ICE Signs $2 Million Contract With Spyware Maker Paragon Solutions
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s one-year contract with Paragon’s US subsidiary comes amid the Biden administration’s years-long crackdown on commercial spyware vendors.
www.wired.com
🇺🇸 Immigration and Customs Enforcement has signed a $2 million contract with 🇮🇱Israeli commercial #spyware vendor Paragon Solutions.
It is unknown whether the contract is for the deployment of Paragon’s flagship product Graphite.
My latest for WIRED. 👇
www.wired.com/story/ice-pa...
It is unknown whether the contract is for the deployment of Paragon’s flagship product Graphite.
My latest for WIRED. 👇
www.wired.com/story/ice-pa...
Reposted by Vas Panagiotopoulos
New, by @lorenzofb.bsky.social and me: We just published TechCrunch's annual jealousy list of cybersecurity stories that we *didn’t* publish but wish we had. This is the very best cybersecuirty reporting from our friends at competing publications.
techcrunch.com/2025/12/26/t...
techcrunch.com/2025/12/26/t...
These are the cybersecurity stories we were jealous of in 2025 | TechCrunch
The very best reporting and investigative journalism from our friends at other publications.
techcrunch.com
December 26, 2025 at 2:26 PM
New, by @lorenzofb.bsky.social and me: We just published TechCrunch's annual jealousy list of cybersecurity stories that we *didn’t* publish but wish we had. This is the very best cybersecuirty reporting from our friends at competing publications.
techcrunch.com/2025/12/26/t...
techcrunch.com/2025/12/26/t...
Reposted by Vas Panagiotopoulos
There’s a real sharp contrast between the UK and France/EUs statements on the US visa bans 🧐
From BBC story: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
From BBC story: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
December 24, 2025 at 6:31 PM
There’s a real sharp contrast between the UK and France/EUs statements on the US visa bans 🧐
From BBC story: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
From BBC story: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Vas Panagiotopoulos
Thanks to @technologyreview.com and Finian Hazen (who was a student in my special seminar @buffett.northwestern.edu) for this profile of our work @citizenlab.ca
“It’s [Citizen Lab] one of the few institutions that investigate cyberthreats exclusively in the public interest, and in doing so, it has exposed some of the most egregious digital abuses of the past two decades.”
Meet the man hunting the spies in your smartphone
Ronald Deibert and his research group, the Citizen Lab, have rigorously worked to unveil alarming digital threats for the past two decades. Now, he warns, this kind of work is under threat.
www.technologyreview.com
December 24, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Thanks to @technologyreview.com and Finian Hazen (who was a student in my special seminar @buffett.northwestern.edu) for this profile of our work @citizenlab.ca
Reposted by Vas Panagiotopoulos
It begins.
The EU lawmaker who was in charge of digital affairs during 🇪🇺President von der Leyen's first term has been banned from entering the United States, because the 🇺🇸 tech giants and government don't like the EU's tech laws.
What will be the 🇪🇺President's response?
The EU lawmaker who was in charge of digital affairs during 🇪🇺President von der Leyen's first term has been banned from entering the United States, because the 🇺🇸 tech giants and government don't like the EU's tech laws.
What will be the 🇪🇺President's response?
Former EU commissioner and activists barred from US in attack on European tech regulators
State department accuses group of pressuring tech firms to censor or suppress American viewpoints through regulation of disinformation
www.theguardian.com
December 24, 2025 at 1:16 AM
It begins.
The EU lawmaker who was in charge of digital affairs during 🇪🇺President von der Leyen's first term has been banned from entering the United States, because the 🇺🇸 tech giants and government don't like the EU's tech laws.
What will be the 🇪🇺President's response?
The EU lawmaker who was in charge of digital affairs during 🇪🇺President von der Leyen's first term has been banned from entering the United States, because the 🇺🇸 tech giants and government don't like the EU's tech laws.
What will be the 🇪🇺President's response?
Reposted by Vas Panagiotopoulos
What's up with all these "secret location" Barcelona offensive cybersecurity conferences?
December 23, 2025 at 4:39 PM
What's up with all these "secret location" Barcelona offensive cybersecurity conferences?
“A single judge is doing what an entire Supreme Court did not do.” The Single-Member Misdemeanour Court of Athens appears determined to shed light on all aspects of the 🇬🇷 wiretappings case, writes @etriantafillou.bsky.social.
insidestory.gr/article/ypok...
insidestory.gr/article/ypok...
Υποκλοπές: Ένας δικαστής κάνει όσα δεν έκανε ο Άρειος Πάγος
Το Μονομελές Πλημμελειοδικείο Αθηνών φαίνεται αποφασισμένο να ρίξει φως σε όλες τις πτυχές της υπόθεσης.
insidestory.gr
December 23, 2025 at 9:55 AM
“A single judge is doing what an entire Supreme Court did not do.” The Single-Member Misdemeanour Court of Athens appears determined to shed light on all aspects of the 🇬🇷 wiretappings case, writes @etriantafillou.bsky.social.
insidestory.gr/article/ypok...
insidestory.gr/article/ypok...
⚖️ @echr.coe.int has now prioritised Nikos Androulakis’ appeal over the Greek intelligence agency’s refusal to obey 🇬🇷 top court’s order to formally notify him of the reasons for his wiretapping. The government must respond by 16 Feb. #PredatorGate
www.news247.gr/politiki/ipo...
www.news247.gr/politiki/ipo...
Υποκλοπές: Με τη διαδικασία του κατεπείγοντος η εκδίκαση της προσφυγής Ανδρουλάκη στο ΕΔΔΑ
Κατά τη διάρκεια του 2026 αναμένεται να εκδικαστεί από το ΕΔΔΑ η προσυφή του Νίκου Ανδρουλάκη για το σκάνδαλο των υποκλοπών.
www.news247.gr
December 22, 2025 at 2:50 PM
⚖️ @echr.coe.int has now prioritised Nikos Androulakis’ appeal over the Greek intelligence agency’s refusal to obey 🇬🇷 top court’s order to formally notify him of the reasons for his wiretapping. The government must respond by 16 Feb. #PredatorGate
www.news247.gr/politiki/ipo...
www.news247.gr/politiki/ipo...
🇩🇪Germany’s Federal Chancellery is pushing ahead with a sweeping reform of the law governing the BND. A key proposal would allow agents to physically enter homes to secretly install spyware – including the “Federal Trojan” – directly onto targets’ IT systems.
www.heise.de/en/news/Fede...
www.heise.de/en/news/Fede...
Federal Trojan: BND to be allowed to enter apartments to install spyware
Chancellery reforms BND law: more powers, including entering apartments to install spy software.
www.heise.de
December 21, 2025 at 11:17 AM
🇩🇪Germany’s Federal Chancellery is pushing ahead with a sweeping reform of the law governing the BND. A key proposal would allow agents to physically enter homes to secretly install spyware – including the “Federal Trojan” – directly onto targets’ IT systems.
www.heise.de/en/news/Fede...
www.heise.de/en/news/Fede...
⚠️ NSO Group Technologies lost a bid to stay a permanent injunction from a 🇺🇸US federal court to install its Pegasus #spyware via Meta Platforms' WhatsApp.
www.mlex.com/mlex/article...
www.mlex.com/mlex/article...
NSO loses bid to stay US injunction against installing Pegaus spyware via WhatsApp | MLex | Specialist news and analysis on legal risk and regulation
MLex Summary: NSO Group Technologies lost a bid to stay a permanent injunction from a US federal court to install its Pegasus spyware via Meta Platforms’ WhatsApp. "The court does not find that defend...
www.mlex.com
December 20, 2025 at 2:34 AM
⚠️ NSO Group Technologies lost a bid to stay a permanent injunction from a 🇺🇸US federal court to install its Pegasus #spyware via Meta Platforms' WhatsApp.
www.mlex.com/mlex/article...
www.mlex.com/mlex/article...
On fmr 🇬🇷PM's chief of staff knowledge of wiretappings @telloglou2024.bsky.social testified:“it would have been difficult for him not to be aware of what was happening.In other words,he would not have been doing his job properly & Dimitriadis is a very capable man.”
www.kathimerini.gr/society/5639...
www.kathimerini.gr/society/5639...
Δίκη για υποκλοπές: Τι κατέθεσε ο Τάσος Τέλλογλου για Μπίτζιο, Λαβράνο και Intellexa
Ο δημοσιογράφος αναφέρθηκε στην έρευνά του για την υπόθεση των υποκλοπών. «Η επιλογή των στόχων ήταν ελληνική» είπε στην κατάθεσή του.
www.kathimerini.gr
December 19, 2025 at 7:09 AM
On fmr 🇬🇷PM's chief of staff knowledge of wiretappings @telloglou2024.bsky.social testified:“it would have been difficult for him not to be aware of what was happening.In other words,he would not have been doing his job properly & Dimitriadis is a very capable man.”
www.kathimerini.gr/society/5639...
www.kathimerini.gr/society/5639...
🇬🇷Greek wiretappings trial: the court has ordered that the witnesses who were summoned but did not appear be forcibly brought in.
www.in.gr/2025/12/18/g...
www.in.gr/2025/12/18/g...
Αποφασίστηκε η βίαιη προσαγωγή μαρτύρων που δεν προσήλθαν για κατάθεση στη δίκη για τις υποκλοπές | in.gr
Η έδρα της δίκης για τις υποκλοπές διέταξε τη βίαιη προσαγωγή μαρτύρων που δεν προσήλθαν για κατάθεση
www.in.gr
December 18, 2025 at 5:42 PM
🇬🇷Greek wiretappings trial: the court has ordered that the witnesses who were summoned but did not appear be forcibly brought in.
www.in.gr/2025/12/18/g...
www.in.gr/2025/12/18/g...
🇮🇷Iranian hackers claimed Wednesday that they hacked into the mobile phone of former 🇮🇱Israeli PM Naftali Bennett & leaked contact lists & text correspondences allegedly belonging to him, write @haaretzcom.bsky.social's Omer Benjakob & Jonathan Lis.
www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...
www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...
Ex-PM Bennett says Iranian hackers accessed his Telegram after hackers claimed leak
The Hackers Claimed They Leaked His Correspondence and Contact List, Including Real Phone Numbers of Numerous Cabinet Ministers as Well as Senior Officials and International Leaders. The Group, Known ...
www.haaretz.com
December 18, 2025 at 9:31 AM
🇮🇷Iranian hackers claimed Wednesday that they hacked into the mobile phone of former 🇮🇱Israeli PM Naftali Bennett & leaked contact lists & text correspondences allegedly belonging to him, write @haaretzcom.bsky.social's Omer Benjakob & Jonathan Lis.
www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...
www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...
🇫🇷French intelligence services are investigating a suspected foreign operation after high-tech #spyware was seized aboard a ferry in Sète, southern France, writes @msolletty.bsky.social.
www.politico.eu/article/fran...
www.politico.eu/article/fran...
High-tech spyware seized aboard ship in France
PARIS ― French intelligence services are investigating a suspected foreign operation after high-tech spyware was seized aboard a ferry in Sète, southern France. “Individuals have tried to pen…
www.politico.eu
December 17, 2025 at 7:27 PM
🇫🇷French intelligence services are investigating a suspected foreign operation after high-tech #spyware was seized aboard a ferry in Sète, southern France, writes @msolletty.bsky.social.
www.politico.eu/article/fran...
www.politico.eu/article/fran...
Reposted by Vas Panagiotopoulos
NEW: Cisco discovered a Chinese hacking campaign targeting an unknown number of customers.
The hackers have been exploiting a zero-day in some of Cisco's most popular products "since at least late November 2025," the company said.
There is no patch available at this point.
The hackers have been exploiting a zero-day in some of Cisco's most popular products "since at least late November 2025," the company said.
There is no patch available at this point.
Cisco says Chinese hackers are exploiting its customers with a new zero-day | TechCrunch
Cisco said it discovered a Chinese hacking campaign targeting its customers by exploiting a zero-day in some of the company's most popular products.
techcrunch.com
December 17, 2025 at 7:00 PM
NEW: Cisco discovered a Chinese hacking campaign targeting an unknown number of customers.
The hackers have been exploiting a zero-day in some of Cisco's most popular products "since at least late November 2025," the company said.
There is no patch available at this point.
The hackers have been exploiting a zero-day in some of Cisco's most popular products "since at least late November 2025," the company said.
There is no patch available at this point.
Reposted by Vas Panagiotopoulos
Spyware found on Belarusian journalist's phone shortly after interrogation by security services. Reporters w/o Borders: Spyware likely installed while the journalist was detained. The same infection method recently used in Kenya + Serbia. H/t @jsrailton.bsky.social
therecord.media/spyware-bela...
therecord.media/spyware-bela...
New spyware discovered on Belarusian journalist’s phone after interrogation
Researchers at the nonprofit Reporters Without Borders discovered a previously unknown spyware tool on the phone of a Belarusian journalist who had been detained by security services.
therecord.media
December 17, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Spyware found on Belarusian journalist's phone shortly after interrogation by security services. Reporters w/o Borders: Spyware likely installed while the journalist was detained. The same infection method recently used in Kenya + Serbia. H/t @jsrailton.bsky.social
therecord.media/spyware-bela...
therecord.media/spyware-bela...
“In the past, NSO Group has attempted to enter the 🇺🇸US in an effort to sell their product to police departments in American cities. This newfound shift in ownership poses a risk to not just American national security, but the constitutional rights of citizens.”
www.techpolicy.press/washingtons-...
www.techpolicy.press/washingtons-...
Washington’s Pegasus Spyware Problem | TechPolicy.Press
A private group of American investors acquired NSO, making the US complicit in global surveillance, David Hatami writes.
www.techpolicy.press
December 17, 2025 at 5:32 PM
“In the past, NSO Group has attempted to enter the 🇺🇸US in an effort to sell their product to police departments in American cities. This newfound shift in ownership poses a risk to not just American national security, but the constitutional rights of citizens.”
www.techpolicy.press/washingtons-...
www.techpolicy.press/washingtons-...
Reposted by Vas Panagiotopoulos
Belarusian KGB put spyware on phones of detained journalist.
Growing list of cases where authoritarian regimes use detention to implant spyware on phones:
🦠Belarus
🦠Kenya
🦠Serbia
And likely plenty more.
Important investigation & reminder that dictators don't always need zero-days.
Growing list of cases where authoritarian regimes use detention to implant spyware on phones:
🦠Belarus
🦠Kenya
🦠Serbia
And likely plenty more.
Important investigation & reminder that dictators don't always need zero-days.
#Belarus: RSF reveals the existence of a previously unknown spyware tool, used since at least 2021 by the KGB against journalists. Installed after the physical confiscation of phones, #ResidentBat constitutes a grave violation of press freedom. RSF calls for a ban on these surveillance technologies.
Exclusive: RSF uncovers new spyware from Belarus
Reporters Without Borders (RSF)’s Digital Security Lab (DSL), working with the Eastern European organisation RESIDENT.NGO, has uncovered a previously unknown spyware tool used by the State Security Co...
rsf.org
December 17, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Belarusian KGB put spyware on phones of detained journalist.
Growing list of cases where authoritarian regimes use detention to implant spyware on phones:
🦠Belarus
🦠Kenya
🦠Serbia
And likely plenty more.
Important investigation & reminder that dictators don't always need zero-days.
Growing list of cases where authoritarian regimes use detention to implant spyware on phones:
🦠Belarus
🦠Kenya
🦠Serbia
And likely plenty more.
Important investigation & reminder that dictators don't always need zero-days.
⚠️ @rsf.org has uncovered a previously unknown #spyware tool used by the State Security Committee (KGB) of 🇧🇾Belarus to target, among others, journalists and media workers.
rsf.org/en/exclusive...
rsf.org/en/exclusive...
Exclusive: RSF uncovers new spyware from Belarus
Reporters Without Borders (RSF)’s Digital Security Lab (DSL), working with the Eastern European organisation RESIDENT.NGO, has uncovered a previously unknown spyware tool used by the State Security Co...
rsf.org
December 17, 2025 at 12:14 PM
⚠️ @rsf.org has uncovered a previously unknown #spyware tool used by the State Security Committee (KGB) of 🇧🇾Belarus to target, among others, journalists and media workers.
rsf.org/en/exclusive...
rsf.org/en/exclusive...
Reposted by Vas Panagiotopoulos
New: @ajvicens.bsky.social and I have been able to establish that the Pornhub user data being bandied around by ShinyHunters is at least partially authentic. At least two former customers confirm to us that their emails are in the sample data shared by the hackers.
www.reuters.com/world/americ...
www.reuters.com/world/americ...
Hacking group ‘ShinyHunters’ claims theft of data from users of leading sex site Pornhub
The hacking group “ShinyHunters” said Tuesday that it had stolen data belonging to premium customers of the leading sex website Pornhub.
www.reuters.com
December 16, 2025 at 9:21 PM
New: @ajvicens.bsky.social and I have been able to establish that the Pornhub user data being bandied around by ShinyHunters is at least partially authentic. At least two former customers confirm to us that their emails are in the sample data shared by the hackers.
www.reuters.com/world/americ...
www.reuters.com/world/americ...
Reposted by Vas Panagiotopoulos
EU subsidising spyware used in acts of war, human rights violations and attacks on democracy, including within Europe. Well explained by @vaspanagiotopoulos.com. Maybe the @europarl.europa.eu can briefly interrupt its witch-hunt against climate NGOs to investigate the EU funding of spyware abuse?
It was great speaking to 🇮🇹Italian public TV RAI's flagship investigative programme Report about #spyware and my recent
@ftm.eu investigation into 🇪🇺EU funding for surveillance companies.
🎥 Watch: youtu.be/blWm9zvYkTk
🎧 Listen: www.raiplaysound.it/audio/2025/1...
@ftm.eu investigation into 🇪🇺EU funding for surveillance companies.
🎥 Watch: youtu.be/blWm9zvYkTk
🎧 Listen: www.raiplaysound.it/audio/2025/1...
The spyware industry pockets EU subsidies: how much do we know?
YouTube video by Vas Panagiotopoulos
youtu.be
December 15, 2025 at 10:30 AM
EU subsidising spyware used in acts of war, human rights violations and attacks on democracy, including within Europe. Well explained by @vaspanagiotopoulos.com. Maybe the @europarl.europa.eu can briefly interrupt its witch-hunt against climate NGOs to investigate the EU funding of spyware abuse?
Reposted by Vas Panagiotopoulos
Bringing the disruption to Brussels: The European Commission encourages its managers to draft policy-making documents with AI, including "explaining/summarising legislative initiatives". According to a newly released Commission document, this will "boost your team's productivity". 🫢
December 15, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Bringing the disruption to Brussels: The European Commission encourages its managers to draft policy-making documents with AI, including "explaining/summarising legislative initiatives". According to a newly released Commission document, this will "boost your team's productivity". 🫢
It was great speaking to 🇮🇹Italian public TV RAI's flagship investigative programme Report about #spyware and my recent
@ftm.eu investigation into 🇪🇺EU funding for surveillance companies.
🎥 Watch: youtu.be/blWm9zvYkTk
🎧 Listen: www.raiplaysound.it/audio/2025/1...
@ftm.eu investigation into 🇪🇺EU funding for surveillance companies.
🎥 Watch: youtu.be/blWm9zvYkTk
🎧 Listen: www.raiplaysound.it/audio/2025/1...
The spyware industry pockets EU subsidies: how much do we know?
YouTube video by Vas Panagiotopoulos
youtu.be
December 15, 2025 at 10:04 AM
It was great speaking to 🇮🇹Italian public TV RAI's flagship investigative programme Report about #spyware and my recent
@ftm.eu investigation into 🇪🇺EU funding for surveillance companies.
🎥 Watch: youtu.be/blWm9zvYkTk
🎧 Listen: www.raiplaysound.it/audio/2025/1...
@ftm.eu investigation into 🇪🇺EU funding for surveillance companies.
🎥 Watch: youtu.be/blWm9zvYkTk
🎧 Listen: www.raiplaysound.it/audio/2025/1...
Pope Leo urged 🇮🇹Italy's intel. services to avoid smearing public figures & journalists, saying abuse of confidential material risked undermining democracy & public trust. His appeal came following recent scandals involving spyware & targeting of reporters & activists.
www.reuters.com/world/pope-t...
www.reuters.com/world/pope-t...
Pope tells Italian spies not to smear politicians or journalists
Pope Leo on Friday urged Italy's intelligence services to avoid smearing public figures and journalists, saying abuse of confidential material risked undermining democracy and public trust.
www.reuters.com
December 14, 2025 at 12:08 AM
Pope Leo urged 🇮🇹Italy's intel. services to avoid smearing public figures & journalists, saying abuse of confidential material risked undermining democracy & public trust. His appeal came following recent scandals involving spyware & targeting of reporters & activists.
www.reuters.com/world/pope-t...
www.reuters.com/world/pope-t...
On Friday Google updated the page to say that the bug was discovered by Apple’s security engineering team and Google’s Threat Analysis Group, whose security researchers primarily track government hackers and mercenary #spyware makers, writes @lorenzofb.bsky.social.
techcrunch.com/2025/12/12/g...
techcrunch.com/2025/12/12/g...
Google and Apple roll out emergency security updates after zero-day attacks | TechCrunch
Apple released patches for all of its flagship devices to fix security flaws under attack. Google also updated Chrome to remediate one vulnerability exploited in the attacks.
techcrunch.com
December 12, 2025 at 11:21 PM
On Friday Google updated the page to say that the bug was discovered by Apple’s security engineering team and Google’s Threat Analysis Group, whose security researchers primarily track government hackers and mercenary #spyware makers, writes @lorenzofb.bsky.social.
techcrunch.com/2025/12/12/g...
techcrunch.com/2025/12/12/g...
The 🇪🇺 @ec.europa.eu's plan to set up an intelligence unit has not been well received by several Member States and within the European External Action Service. Its remit is therefore likely to be scaled back, according to Intelligence Online.
www.intelligenceonline.com/europe-russi...
www.intelligenceonline.com/europe-russi...
December 11, 2025 at 7:46 AM
The 🇪🇺 @ec.europa.eu's plan to set up an intelligence unit has not been well received by several Member States and within the European External Action Service. Its remit is therefore likely to be scaled back, according to Intelligence Online.
www.intelligenceonline.com/europe-russi...
www.intelligenceonline.com/europe-russi...