Poland moves away from Pegasus spyware

Polish Minister of the Interior and Administration Tomasz Siemoniak has said that Poland will be unable to use the Israeli spyware software Pegasus due to the revocation of its license. 

“Pegasus will not be used in Poland—the license has been revoked. However, the country’s authorities will continue using operational control tools to ensure national security,” the minister said in an interview with TVN24, Caliber.Az reports.

He emphasized the ongoing need for operational control measures for national security.

“Intelligence agencies must have tools for counterintelligence, counterterrorism, and criminal investigations,” he added.

Pegasus is a sophisticated spyware tool designed to infiltrate mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets. It can access and extract data from the device, including calls, messages, emails, and location information. It also enables real-time surveillance by activating cameras and microphones. The software is primarily marketed to government agencies and law enforcement bodies for counterterrorism and criminal investigations.

Pegasus has been implicated in various high-profile cases of abuse. Reports have surfaced indicating its use against journalists, human rights activists, political dissidents, and other individuals not involved in criminal activities.