Pegasus Project: Israel sets up task force to assess NSO spyware allegations

Israel’s government has set up a task force to examine claims that NSO-made spyware Pegasus has been misused to spy on people worldwide.

Israeli govt task force will probe the Pegasus project revelations, about the use of spying tools sold to 'authoritarian' governments by the NSO Group.

Reports say the team is headed by Israel's National Security Council, which reports to Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, and has broader areas of expertise than the nation's Defence Ministry, which oversees exports of NSO Group's Pegasus software.

The reports come as diplomatic pressure mounts on Israel over concerns that the government has enabled abuse by repressive states around the world, by granting NSO export licences for the spyware.

A global investigation, in collaboration with several media houses, published on Sunday alleged that governments around the world had used hacking spyware Pegasus to target human rights activists, journalists and lawyers.