NSO Group's Pegasus Spyware Targets Journalists and Activists in Jordan: Ongoing Threats and Controversies

A joint investigation by Access Now and the Citizen Lab has uncovered the extensive use of NSO Group's Pegasus spyware against nearly three dozen journalists, activists, and human rights advocates in Jordan. Out of 35 individuals, nine were publicly identified as victims, facing multiple infections from 2019 to September 2023. NSO Group, under scrutiny for selling its technology without robust human rights safeguards, claims a decline in misuse reports. However, the continued abuse contradicts these assertions. The spyware employed both zero-click and one-click attacks using Apple iOS exploits, emphasizing the critical need for countermeasures. Advocacy groups, including Access Now, urge governments to halt spyware usage and enforce a moratorium on its sale.