European Parliament Investigates Alleged Pegasus Hacking Incident

A member of a committee investigating the use of surveillance technology by governments was targeted with Pegasus spyware, according to research by Citizen Lab, a digital rights organization. The investigation, conducted in collaboration with Privacy International and Amnesty International, revealed that the individual—a key figure in the committee’s probe into spyware proliferation—was infected via a phishing message disguised as a legitimate communication. The attack, attributed to the NSO Group’s Pegasus, underscores the risks faced by officials tackling digital surveillance and highlights the persistent use of such tools to undermine investigative efforts into state-sponsored espionage.

The committee, established to examine the global spread of spyware and its implications for human rights, confirmed the breach but provided limited details on the scope of data accessed. Citizen Lab’s analysis indicated the attack exploited vulnerabilities in widely used software, enabling remote surveillance of the target’s device. The findings add to a growing body of evidence linking Pegasus to covert operations against journalists, activists, and officials. The committee has since called for increased transparency from governments and tech companies, urging stronger safeguards to protect digital security in investigative contexts.

This incident raises broader concerns about the accessibility of advanced surveillance tools to authoritarian regimes and the challenges of holding private firms accountable for their deployment. While the NSO Group has denied unauthorized use of its technology, ongoing legal and political scrutiny continues to pressure governments to regulate spyware exports. The attack serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities within digital systems and the urgent need for robust countermeasures to shield those working to expose surveillance abuses.