Spyware was found on two phones of MPs on the Security and Defense Subcommittee during a routine check.

Spyware was discovered during a routine check of deputies’ phones. Politico knows this. Devices belonging to two members of the Security and Defense Subcommittee were infected with malware. De Morgen suspects that the chairman of the committee is also a victim. Parliament has now asked all members of the subcommittee to have their devices checked.

The two devices appear to have been hacked. During the audit, IT experts found traces of monitoring tools. It therefore appears that an external body has at least attempted to monitor and listen to the activities of the members of the sensitive committee. Members of the European Parliament can have their devices routinely checked to quickly detect targeted malware in scenarios like today. The European Parliament does not say who owns the devices or what spy software they are.

Israeli spyware

However, the chair of the committee, Nathalie Loiseau (France, Renew), revealed this weekend to the French newspaper Le Point that there was spyware on her device. It is said to be the Pegasus malware. This malware comes from the Israeli company NSO. However, according to Politico, the malware was only discovered yesterday. So there is some ambiguity regarding this timeline.

The Israeli NSO has some European customers, but can also count other countries among its customers. The company itself claims to act only ethically and to have some minimum conditions for the sale of its spyware, but Saudi Arabia, among others, rejects the minimum standard. This country would also be a customer.

The exact process remains unclear until the European Parliament provides further explanations. However, everything points (again) to Israel and NSO. The company’s spyware was previously found on smartphones of Belgian police officers and judges.

Relevant target

The Subcommittee on Security and Defense deals with sensitive matters. It is not surprising that the chairman and members are the target of wiretapping campaigns. There is no shortage of possible perpetrators, from Middle Eastern countries (like Qatar, which is playing a major role in a European bribery scandal) to Russia, to friendly countries like Hungary, which is a confirmed customer.