Brussels, Belgium – Canadian technology research group Citizen Lab revealed in a report released Friday a highly sensitive digital breach. The phone of a former member of the European Parliament, who was part of an inquiry into illegal surveillance, was hacked using Israeli-made spyware.
Details of the digital breach
The report explained that the phone of Stelios Kologlou, a Greek television journalist who transitioned to parliamentary work, was hacked at least three times between October 2022 and March 2023. The Pegasus software, distributed by the Israeli company NSO Group, was used in these operations.
This incident takes on a controversial dimension because Kologlou was a member of the European Parliament’s PEGA Committee. This committee was formed in 2022 to investigate illegal phone hacking within the European Union, focusing primarily on the use of software like Pegasus. The committee concluded that European governments had used spyware in ways that ranged from legitimate to illegitimate.
Reactions and boldness in targeting
Regarding the incident, Kologlou told Reuters, “I didn’t expect a member of the PEGA Committee to be spied on by Pegasus… I didn’t expect them to be this reckless.” The European Parliament did not directly address Kologlou’s case. It merely confirmed that its IT security services constantly monitor cybersecurity threats. It also noted that spyware detection tools have been available to MEPs since 2022. The European Commission did not respond to requests for comment, and NSO Group did not issue a statement.
Controversial record of the Pegasus program
NSO Group has consistently defended its tools, claiming they are designed to combat serious crime and protect national security. However, the company has faced repeated accusations of facilitating the surveillance of journalists, dissidents, and human rights activists worldwide.
The US government blacklisted the company in 2021 on human rights and national security grounds. NSO Group has also been embroiled in legal disputes with Meta, the owner of WhatsApp, over alleged unauthorized access to the platform.
Citizen Lab indicated its belief that Kologlou’s phone was compromised through a previously unknown Apple software vulnerability. It also asserted that the former MP received repeated warnings from Apple in 2023 and 2024 regarding government-backed hacking attempts. Apple declined to comment directly on the matter, stating only that the vulnerability in question had already been patched.
