The use of the controversial espionage software Pegasus is apparently widespread in the European Union. “EU governments have used spyware against their citizens for political purposes,” says a draft report published in Brussels by the European Parliament’s Commission of Inquiry (PEGA). There are corresponding indications for Poland, Hungary, Greece, Cyprus and Spain. There are striking connections with Austria.
The report on Austria specifically states that former Interior Minister and current Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) has responded in writing to questions from the National Council that Austria was not a customer of Israeli technology company NSO, which produces Pegasus spy software. . “But former Chancellor Sebastian Kurz has close ties to the founder of the NSO group, and DSIRF (Decision Supporting Information Research and Forensic, ed.), a major supplier of spyware, is based in Austria,” the draft report states. DSIRF and senior members of the company also had close ties to Russia and the Kremlin, according to the draft.
On Wednesday, Kurz told Ö1-Mittagsjournal that he has “founded a company that provides cybersecurity for critical infrastructure, such as to protect hospitals, water and energy supplies.” He considers this “extremely important at a time when cyber-attacks are on the rise,” said the ex-chancellor. His business partner Shalev Hulio has since left the NSO, Kurz said. In any case, the company he founded offers “exclusively cybersecurity solutions” and he strongly applauds “when people who have gained experience in the field of crime now use this experience to protect critical infrastructure”.
Microsoft warns against spyware from Austria
After Microsoft security experts accused the company DSIRF of being behind a series of digital break-ins at banks, law firms and strategic consultancies in at least three countries, Austria’s state security service investigated the allegations without any evidence of the use of the spyware. DSIRF developed the spyware called “Subzero” that uses so-called zero-day exploits to access confidential information such as passwords or login credentials, Microsoft said in July.
“The misuse of spyware in EU member states poses a serious threat to democracy across the continent,” said the EU parliament’s rapporteur, the Dutch liberal Sophie in ‘t Veld. In addition to violating privacy rights, spyware undermines democratic institutions and silences opposition and critics. Spyware also has a chilling effect on press freedom and civil society and is used to influence elections. This is “a European scandal” because EU institutions are also being attacked and it influences EU decision-making, said in ‘t Veld.
Authorities were extremely silent
No official body wanted to cooperate with her in drawing up the report, the Dutch MEP complained. The EU Council also replied to the EU Parliament that it was not responsible for the matter. Therefore, she relied on publicly available sources. The picture is not complete, but very clearly recognizable. “We have 900 pieces of a 1000 piece puzzle”, says ‘t Veld.
The EU commission is strongly committed to democracy and the fight against fake news, most recently when Elon Musk took over Twitter. “But if the attacks on democracy come from within, the European Commission remains silent,” says in ‘t Veld. “The EU commission flexes Musk, but only attacks member states that use spyware against civilians wearing velvet gloves.”
MEPs want clarification
SPÖ-EU MP Hannes Heide, coordinator of the Social Democratic group in the committee, called the scale of the affair shocking and called for stricter EU laws. Above all, the illegal surveillance of politicians – such as PASOK president Nikos Androulakis in Greece or journalists, activists and lawyers in Poland and Hungary – “poses a threat to democracy and fundamental rights”. In Austria, for example, DSIRF, based in Vienna, sells relevant monitoring software, Heide said. “The Socialist Group calls for strict EU legislation on the development, sale and use of high-tech surveillance software. The existing legal framework is not sufficient.”
ÖVP member Lukas Mandl, member of the inquiry committee, also called for clarification in Austria: “To our chagrin, an Austrian company is also suspected here. That must be fully explained. We owe this to Austria’s image in the And we must do everything we can to prevent shady activities in Austria and throughout Europe.” According to Mandl, instruments to investigate the communication of terrorist groups or other criminal networks are important for security. “But because such tools are so powerful, it’s all the more important that they aren’t abused.”
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
