Meta’s WhatsApp Reports Paragon Solutions Targeting Global Users

Meta’s WhatsApp has reported that the Israeli spyware company Paragon Solutions targeted users across more than two dozen countries, including journalists, activists, and members of civil society.

The spyware, known as Graphite, was reportedly deployed via group chats and malicious PDFs, making it difficult for victims to detect the threat.

According to WhatsApp, the spyware was used to monitor the communications and activities of individuals in politically sensitive regions. The company has taken action by issuing a cease-and-desist letter to Paragon and disrupting the hacking campaign. The incident has been reported to law enforcement agencies and Citizen Lab, an internet watchdog.

The targeted individuals, many of whom were involved in journalism or human rights work, were unaware that their devices had been compromised, as the spyware was designed to operate covertly. WhatsApp’s security team acted swiftly to prevent further damage by blocking the spyware’s access to its platform.

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Paragon, which was recently acquired by AE Industrial Partners, declined to comment on the allegations. However, experts like John Scott-Railton from Citizen Lab have raised concerns about the growing use of mercenary spyware, highlighting the dangers posed by the commercial spyware industry. Scott-Railton emphasized the ongoing misuse of such technologies to undermine privacy and freedom of expression.

This incident underscores the continued risks posed by spyware and the need for stronger cybersecurity measures to safeguard user privacy, particularly for individuals in vulnerable sectors like journalism and human rights advocacy.

WhatsApp’s proactive response aims to disrupt malicious efforts and protect users from future threats.