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...
ZeroDayRAT is a new commercial mobile #spyware toolkit – first observed on 2 February – that enables full remote access to Android and iOS devices, with features including live camera feeds, key logging, bank and crypto theft and more.
www.securityweek.com/new-zerodayr...
www.securityweek.com/new-zerodayr...
New 'ZeroDayRAT' Spyware Kit Enables Total Compromise of iOS, Android Devices
ZeroDayRAT mobile spyware provides full remote access to Android and iOS with live camera feeds, key logging, bank and crypto theft and more.
www.securityweek.com
February 11, 2026 at 1:52 AM
ZeroDayRAT is a new commercial mobile #spyware toolkit – first observed on 2 February – that enables full remote access to Android and iOS devices, with features including live camera feeds, key logging, bank and crypto theft and more.
www.securityweek.com/new-zerodayr...
www.securityweek.com/new-zerodayr...
…in addition to executives of the Israeli company NSO, which markets the Pegasus software, and also, for the first time in Spain, executives of Candiru, espionage software that the Spanish government has not previously acknowledged.
February 9, 2026 at 6:43 PM
…in addition to executives of the Israeli company NSO, which markets the Pegasus software, and also, for the first time in Spain, executives of Candiru, espionage software that the Spanish government has not previously acknowledged.
A judge in 🇪🇸Barcelona has formally charged two former Civil Guard directors for the first time in connection with the Pegasus #spyware used to spy on the Catalan independence movement. The judge has also summoned former intel. agency CNI director to testify as a suspect.
en.ara.cat/politics/two...
en.ara.cat/politics/two...
Two Civil Guard officers charged for the first time in the Pegasus case
The judge also summons former CNI director Paz Esteban to testify as a suspect
en.ara.cat
February 9, 2026 at 6:42 PM
A judge in 🇪🇸Barcelona has formally charged two former Civil Guard directors for the first time in connection with the Pegasus #spyware used to spy on the Catalan independence movement. The judge has also summoned former intel. agency CNI director to testify as a suspect.
en.ara.cat/politics/two...
en.ara.cat/politics/two...
Reposted by Vas Panagiotopoulos
NEW: A hacktivist scraped than half a million payment records from a stalkerware and consumer surveillance tech maker, exposing customers' email addresses and partial card numbers.
The hackvisit told us they did it because they think these companies are "creepy."
The hackvisit told us they did it because they think these companies are "creepy."
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 4:29 PM
NEW: A hacktivist scraped than half a million payment records from a stalkerware and consumer surveillance tech maker, exposing customers' email addresses and partial card numbers.
The hackvisit told us they did it because they think these companies are "creepy."
The hackvisit told us they did it because they think these companies are "creepy."
The prosecutor of the Single-Member Misdemeanor Court of Athens requested the guilt of the four defendants in 🇬🇷Greece’s wiretapping case. #PredatorGate
www.naftemporiki.gr/society/2069...
www.naftemporiki.gr/society/2069...
Υποκλοπές: Την ενοχή των τεσσάρων κατηγορουμένων ζητεί ο εισαγγελέας
«Αποδείχθηκε η σύνδεση των κατηγορουμένων με τις εμπλεκόμενες εταιρείες και το λογισμικό, οπότε να κηρυχθούν άπαντες ένοχοι για όλες τις κατηγορίες».
www.naftemporiki.gr
February 6, 2026 at 12:52 PM
The prosecutor of the Single-Member Misdemeanor Court of Athens requested the guilt of the four defendants in 🇬🇷Greece’s wiretapping case. #PredatorGate
www.naftemporiki.gr/society/2069...
www.naftemporiki.gr/society/2069...
The FBI has been unable to access a Washington Post reporter’s seized iPhone because it was in #Lockdown Mode, a sometimes overlooked feature that makes iPhones broadly more secure, according to recently filed court records, writes @josephcox.bsky.social.
www.404media.co/fbi-couldnt-...
www.404media.co/fbi-couldnt-...
FBI Couldn’t Get into WaPo Reporter’s iPhone Because It Had Lockdown Mode Enabled
Lockdown Mode is a sometimes overlooked feature of Apple devices that broadly make them harder to hack. A court record indicates the feature might be effective at stopping third parties unlocking some...
www.404media.co
February 4, 2026 at 7:43 PM
The FBI has been unable to access a Washington Post reporter’s seized iPhone because it was in #Lockdown Mode, a sometimes overlooked feature that makes iPhones broadly more secure, according to recently filed court records, writes @josephcox.bsky.social.
www.404media.co/fbi-couldnt-...
www.404media.co/fbi-couldnt-...
WhatsApp Inc. is entitled to more than 💰$15.9 million in attorney fees in its lawsuit against Israeli #spyware maker NSO Group Technologies Ltd. over the use of its Pegasus spyware, a California federal judge has ruled.
today.westlaw.com/Document/I4b...
today.westlaw.com/Document/I4b...
today.westlaw.com
February 4, 2026 at 12:05 AM
WhatsApp Inc. is entitled to more than 💰$15.9 million in attorney fees in its lawsuit against Israeli #spyware maker NSO Group Technologies Ltd. over the use of its Pegasus spyware, a California federal judge has ruled.
today.westlaw.com/Document/I4b...
today.westlaw.com/Document/I4b...
Reposted by Vas Panagiotopoulos
I believe NSO Group has one goal: Bring Pegasus spyware to America.
They're trying to create the perception that they are a reformed company.
But they just got caught trying to hijack diplomatic efforts to whitewash Pegasus spyware 1/
They're trying to create the perception that they are a reformed company.
But they just got caught trying to hijack diplomatic efforts to whitewash Pegasus spyware 1/
February 2, 2026 at 9:08 PM
I believe NSO Group has one goal: Bring Pegasus spyware to America.
They're trying to create the perception that they are a reformed company.
But they just got caught trying to hijack diplomatic efforts to whitewash Pegasus spyware 1/
They're trying to create the perception that they are a reformed company.
But they just got caught trying to hijack diplomatic efforts to whitewash Pegasus spyware 1/
Intelligence software provider Cognyte’s share price is up 133% compared with three years ago.
finance.yahoo.com/news/47-owne...
finance.yahoo.com/news/47-owne...
With 47% ownership, Cognyte Software Ltd. (NASDAQ:CGNT) has piqued the interest of institutional investors
Key Insights Significantly high institutional ownership implies Cognyte Software's stock price is sensitive to their...
finance.yahoo.com
February 3, 2026 at 5:17 AM
Intelligence software provider Cognyte’s share price is up 133% compared with three years ago.
finance.yahoo.com/news/47-owne...
finance.yahoo.com/news/47-owne...
Reposted by Vas Panagiotopoulos
UK and French govts say they "didn't invite" NSO to participate in Pall Mall after spyware maker trumpets its participation in annual "transparency report." French officials note "extremely serious" allegations involving Pegasus in France
therecord.media/spyware-make...
therecord.media/spyware-make...
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 2, 2026 at 2:25 PM
UK and French govts say they "didn't invite" NSO to participate in Pall Mall after spyware maker trumpets its participation in annual "transparency report." French officials note "extremely serious" allegations involving Pegasus in France
therecord.media/spyware-make...
therecord.media/spyware-make...
Reposted by Vas Panagiotopoulos
'Four days before Trump’s '25 inauguration, lieutenants to an Abu Dhabi royal secretly signed a deal with the Trump family to purchase a 49% stake in their cryptocurrency venture for half a billion dollars.... The buyers would pay half up front, steering $187 million to Trump family entities.'
‘Spy Sheikh’ Bought Secret Stake in Trump Company
$500 million investment for 49% of World Liberty came months before U.A.E. won access to tightly guarded American AI chips.
www.wsj.com
February 1, 2026 at 4:41 AM
'Four days before Trump’s '25 inauguration, lieutenants to an Abu Dhabi royal secretly signed a deal with the Trump family to purchase a 49% stake in their cryptocurrency venture for half a billion dollars.... The buyers would pay half up front, steering $187 million to Trump family entities.'
“Al-Masarir feared his phone was being used to spy on him. Cyber experts would later confirm he'd become the latest victim to be spied on with the infamous #Pegasus hacking tool.”
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Ghanem al-Masarir: I mocked the Saudi leader on YouTube - then my phone was hacked and I was beaten up in London
Satirist Ghanem al-Masarir has been awarded £3m in damages, but it's unclear if Saudi Arabia will pay.
www.bbc.com
January 31, 2026 at 11:38 AM
“Al-Masarir feared his phone was being used to spy on him. Cyber experts would later confirm he'd become the latest victim to be spied on with the infamous #Pegasus hacking tool.”
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Tensions ran high during the 33rd hearing of 🇬🇷Greece’s wiretappings trial, as defense lawyers challenged the inclusion of documents detailing surveillance products marketed by Intellexa. The court ultimately rejected the objections.
www.dnews.gr/eidhseis/new...
www.dnews.gr/eidhseis/new...
Wiretapping Trial in Greece: Prosecutor to Present Recommendation on February 6 - Dnews
Tensions ran high during the 33rd hearing of Greece’s high-profile wiretapping trial on Thursday, as defense lawyers challenged the inclusion of documents detailing surveillance products marketed by t...
www.dnews.gr
January 30, 2026 at 7:09 PM
Tensions ran high during the 33rd hearing of 🇬🇷Greece’s wiretappings trial, as defense lawyers challenged the inclusion of documents detailing surveillance products marketed by Intellexa. The court ultimately rejected the objections.
www.dnews.gr/eidhseis/new...
www.dnews.gr/eidhseis/new...
Reposted by Vas Panagiotopoulos
Here's the letter from Meta's legal counsel to Quinn Emanuel, which represents both NSO Group and individuals making these categorically false claims. As numerous experts have noted -- their suit has no evidence and they should withdraw it or face a sanctions challenge.
January 29, 2026 at 5:02 PM
Here's the letter from Meta's legal counsel to Quinn Emanuel, which represents both NSO Group and individuals making these categorically false claims. As numerous experts have noted -- their suit has no evidence and they should withdraw it or face a sanctions challenge.
"France will continue its active involvement in the Pall Mall Process, which aims to combat the proliferation and irresponsible use of commercially available cyber intrusion capabilities."
January 29, 2026 at 11:29 PM
"France will continue its active involvement in the Pall Mall Process, which aims to combat the proliferation and irresponsible use of commercially available cyber intrusion capabilities."
🇫🇷 National Cybersecurity Strategy 2026–2030: "France will also mobilize all of its levers to hinder the expansion of the cyber threat and to enhance cooperation with private-sector actors, notably through the sharing of threat information."
www.sgdsn.gouv.fr/files/files/...
www.sgdsn.gouv.fr/files/files/...
www.sgdsn.gouv.fr
January 29, 2026 at 11:29 PM
🇫🇷 National Cybersecurity Strategy 2026–2030: "France will also mobilize all of its levers to hinder the expansion of the cyber threat and to enhance cooperation with private-sector actors, notably through the sharing of threat information."
www.sgdsn.gouv.fr/files/files/...
www.sgdsn.gouv.fr/files/files/...
Reposted by Vas Panagiotopoulos
⚠️ "An attorney from Quinn Emanuel joined NSO Group's legal team on that case on Jan. 22, according to legal filings, and different attorneys from that firm filed the case against WhatsApp on Jan. 23."
✍️ @joemenn.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
✍️ @joemenn.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
Lawsuit claims WhatsApp has a gaping security hole. Experts doubt it.
WhatsApp called a California lawsuit that alleged staff could read user messages “frivolous” and said it would seek sanctions against the firm’s attorneys.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 29, 2026 at 11:35 AM
⚠️ "An attorney from Quinn Emanuel joined NSO Group's legal team on that case on Jan. 22, according to legal filings, and different attorneys from that firm filed the case against WhatsApp on Jan. 23."
✍️ @joemenn.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
✍️ @joemenn.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
Europe is investing heavily in security but not enough in #cyber, bloc’s cyber agency chief says.
✍️ @sgclark92.bsky.social
www.politico.eu/article/we-a...
✍️ @sgclark92.bsky.social
www.politico.eu/article/we-a...
‘We’re losing massively’: EU cyber chief warns Europe’s defenses lag
Europe is investing heavily in security but not enough in cyber, bloc’s cyber agency chief says.
www.politico.eu
January 29, 2026 at 7:44 AM
Europe is investing heavily in security but not enough in #cyber, bloc’s cyber agency chief says.
✍️ @sgclark92.bsky.social
www.politico.eu/article/we-a...
✍️ @sgclark92.bsky.social
www.politico.eu/article/we-a...
The newly signed 🇪🇺EU-🇮🇳India FTA includes a #cyber component. In closed-door cyber dialogue sessions, EU diplomats raised concerns about India’s proliferating offensive cyber ecosystem. Indian officials dismissed the issue, denying such an ecosystem exists.
www.intelligenceonline.com/asia-pacific...
www.intelligenceonline.com/asia-pacific...
January 29, 2026 at 6:20 AM
The newly signed 🇪🇺EU-🇮🇳India FTA includes a #cyber component. In closed-door cyber dialogue sessions, EU diplomats raised concerns about India’s proliferating offensive cyber ecosystem. Indian officials dismissed the issue, denying such an ecosystem exists.
www.intelligenceonline.com/asia-pacific...
www.intelligenceonline.com/asia-pacific...
Whoever used a card in a 🇬🇷supermarket employee’s name had not only purchased the infected SMS messages, but also the spoof sites used to deploy Predator spyware—They also appear to have studied Intellexa’s manual on covering their tracks.✍️ @etriantafillou.bsky.social
insidestory.gr/article/apok...
insidestory.gr/article/apok...
Αποκαλυπτικές οι κινήσεις της προπληρωμένης κάρτας του Predator
Όποιος είχε στα χέρια του την κάρτα που εκδόθηκε στο όνομα ενός υπαλλήλου σούπερ μάρκετ, εκτός από μολυσμένα sms είχε αγοράσει και ψευδεπίγραφες ιστοσελίδες που χρησιμοποιήθηκαν για την παγίδευση στόχ...
insidestory.gr
January 28, 2026 at 7:02 AM
Whoever used a card in a 🇬🇷supermarket employee’s name had not only purchased the infected SMS messages, but also the spoof sites used to deploy Predator spyware—They also appear to have studied Intellexa’s manual on covering their tracks.✍️ @etriantafillou.bsky.social
insidestory.gr/article/apok...
insidestory.gr/article/apok...
The guide includes case studies on #spyware vendors NSO Group, Intellexa, Paragon, Candiru, Memento Labs/Hacking Team & FlexiSPY & equips investors to make informed, risk-aware decisions in a complex, often opaque, high-stakes ecosystem – including how to conduct a dedicated human rights assessment.
January 28, 2026 at 6:18 AM
The guide includes case studies on #spyware vendors NSO Group, Intellexa, Paragon, Candiru, Memento Labs/Hacking Team & FlexiSPY & equips investors to make informed, risk-aware decisions in a complex, often opaque, high-stakes ecosystem – including how to conduct a dedicated human rights assessment.
For investors the #surveillance sector carries severe, under-recognised risks. Lawful interception tools are increasingly tied to #HumanRights abuses – bringing unquantifiable legal, sanctions, & reputational exposure.
January 28, 2026 at 6:18 AM
For investors the #surveillance sector carries severe, under-recognised risks. Lawful interception tools are increasingly tied to #HumanRights abuses – bringing unquantifiable legal, sanctions, & reputational exposure.
NEW: guide by @business-humanrights.org, @smex.org & @awo.agency on the severe, under-recognised risks for 📈💰investors in #surveillance technologies – including #spyware, digital forensics tools, cell site simulators & deep packet inspection systems.
media.business-humanrights.org/media/docume...
media.business-humanrights.org/media/docume...
January 28, 2026 at 6:18 AM
NEW: guide by @business-humanrights.org, @smex.org & @awo.agency on the severe, under-recognised risks for 📈💰investors in #surveillance technologies – including #spyware, digital forensics tools, cell site simulators & deep packet inspection systems.
media.business-humanrights.org/media/docume...
media.business-humanrights.org/media/docume...
WhatsApp unveiled a lockdown-style feature on Tuesday similar to those offered by other tech providers aimed at blocking sophisticated cyberattacks, with #spyware in mind.
✍️ @timstarks.bsky.social
cyberscoop.com/whatsapp-str...
✍️ @timstarks.bsky.social
cyberscoop.com/whatsapp-str...
WhatsApp releases account feature that looks to combat spyware
WhatsApp is rolling out “Strict Account Settings,” a lockdown-style security mode that limits interactions from non-contacts to help protect high-risk users from sophisticated spyware attacks.
cyberscoop.com
January 27, 2026 at 7:13 PM
WhatsApp unveiled a lockdown-style feature on Tuesday similar to those offered by other tech providers aimed at blocking sophisticated cyberattacks, with #spyware in mind.
✍️ @timstarks.bsky.social
cyberscoop.com/whatsapp-str...
✍️ @timstarks.bsky.social
cyberscoop.com/whatsapp-str...