Photonews Logo Photonews logo
  • Home
  • Pakistan
    • Punjab
    • Sindh
    • Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
    • Azad Jammu Kashmir
    • Balochistan
    • Gilgit – Baltistan
  • World
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Videos
    Gen V Season 2 trailer
    Videos

    Gen V Season 2 Trailer Cast, Plot, Premiere Details

    July 26, 2025 3 Min Read
    IShowSpeed Daniel La Belle race
    Videos

    IShowSpeed Beats Daniel La Belle in 40-Meter Race, Hits 41M Subscribers

    June 24, 2025 2 Min Read
    Cardi B new single Outside
    Videos

    Cardi B’s ‘Outside’ Single Sparks Buzz Over Offset and Stefon Diggs

    June 20, 2025 2 Min Read
  • Sports
  • Technology
  • Offbeat
  • Blog
  • Contact
Reading: WhatsApp Accuses Israeli Spyware Firm Paragon of Targeting Users
PhotoNews Pakistan PhotoNews Pakistan
Font ResizerAa
Search
  • Home
  • Pakistan
    • Punjab
    • Sindh
    • Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
    • Balochistan
    • Azad Jammu Kashmir
    • Gilgit – Baltistan
  • World
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Videos
  • Sports
  • Technology
  • Offbeat
  • Blog
  • Contact
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
© 2022 Photonews. All Rights Reserved.
WhatsApp Paragon spyware hack
PhotoNews Pakistan > Tech > WhatsApp Accuses Israeli Spyware Firm Paragon of Targeting Users
Tech

WhatsApp Accuses Israeli Spyware Firm Paragon of Targeting Users

Web Desk
By Web Desk Published February 1, 2025 4 Min Read
Share
Photo Credit: We Live Security.
SHARE

An official from Meta Platforms’ WhatsApp revealed that the Israeli spyware company Paragon Solutions targeted approximately 90 users of the popular messaging service, including journalists and members of civil society. The official stated that WhatsApp has sent Paragon a cease-and-desist letter and is taking steps to protect users’ privacy.

Speaking to Reuters, the WhatsApp official disclosed that the hacking effort targeted individuals in more than two dozen countries, including several in Europe. The attackers used a zero-click exploit, a highly stealthy method that compromises devices without user interaction. Malicious electronic documents were sent to victims, enabling the hack.

WhatsApp has disrupted the hacking campaign and referred affected users to Citizen Lab, a Canadian internet watchdog group. The official did not elaborate on how Paragon was identified as the perpetrator but confirmed that law enforcement and industry partners had been informed.

HUNDREDS of WhatsApp accounts hacked by Israeli spyware firm Paragon Solutions

Perpetrators used 'zero-click attacks', meaning that targeted journos and civil society members did not have to do any actions to have their devices infected

WhatsApp is now pursuing legal action pic.twitter.com/w16UH6zbtT

— RT (@RT_com) January 31, 2025

Paragon’s Role in the Spyware Industry

Paragon reportedly sells high-end surveillance software to government clients and markets its tools as essential for fighting crime and protecting national security. However, spyware from companies like Paragon has repeatedly been found on the devices of journalists, activists, opposition politicians, and even 50 U.S. officials, raising concerns about the unchecked spread of such technology.

Despite Paragon’s attempts to position itself as a responsible player in the industry, recent revelations have cast doubt on its practices. The company’s website claims to provide “ethically based tools, teams, and insights to disrupt intractable threats,” media reports suggest it only sells to governments in stable democratic countries. However, Natalia Krapiva, senior tech-legal counsel at Access Now, noted that WhatsApp’s findings indicate otherwise.

An official at Meta’s WhatsApp chat service says Israeli spyware company Paragon Solutions targeted 90 of its users, including journalists and members of civil society https://t.co/8UttKC6KNQ pic.twitter.com/0PfpdE72Vk

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) January 31, 2025

Industry-Wide Concerns

John Scott-Railton, a researcher at Citizen Lab, emphasized that the discovery of Paragon’s spyware targeting WhatsApp users highlights the ongoing proliferation of mercenary spyware and its problematic use. Krapiva added that abuses are not isolated incidents but a systemic issue within the commercial spyware industry.

WhatsApp reaffirmed its commitment to protecting users’ privacy in a statement: “We will continue to protect people’s ability to communicate privately.” The company has not disclosed specific details about the targeted individuals or the methods used to attribute the hack to Paragon.

Paragon declined to comment on the allegations. Similarly, AE Industrial Partners, the Florida-based investment group that reportedly acquired Paragon last month, did not respond to requests for comment.

TAGGED:Featured
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn Email Copy Link Print
Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement

HBL Saving Made Easy
HBL Saving Made Easy

Recent Posts

Pakistan FBR tax target

Pakistan Revises FBR Tax Target Down by Rs300-500B

Simeone Anfield incident

Diego Simeone Demands Protection for Managers After Anfield Fan Abuse

Imran Khan Bushra Bibi Toshakhana jewellery case

Toshakhana 2 Case: Key Witnesses Confess to Undervaluing Bulgari Jewellery Set

Post Archives

More Popular from Photonews

Hugh Jackman, Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds
Entertainment

Blake Lively Rejects Sutton Foster Ties Amid Hugh Jackman Drama

2 Min Read
Albania’s AI Minister Diella
Offbeat

Albania Appoints AI Bot Diella as Minister to Fight Corruption

3 Min Read
NCCIA social media crackdown
Pakistan

Pakistan Cracks Down on Anti-State Social Media Campaigns

2 Min Read
Pakistan

Pakistan Passport Theft Scandal: 32,600 Stolen Documents Raise National Security Alarms

Pakistan's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) was informed of a massive passport theft scandal involving 32,600 documents…

September 17, 2025
Pakistan

Pakistan Slams Israel’s Doha Strike at UNSC

Pakistan led a heated UN Security Council (UNSC) debate, condemning Israel’s recent strike in Doha targeting…

September 12, 2025
Sports

India vs. Pakistan: High-Stakes Asia Cup 2025 Clash in Dubai

On Sunday, September 14, 2025, India and Pakistan will meet in a thrilling Asia Cup 2025…

September 14, 2025
Punjab

Punjab EPA’s Drone Bust Exposes Illegal Pyrolysis Plants Fueling Lahore Smog

The Punjab Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revealed a major cause of Lahore’s worsening smog using drone…

September 16, 2025
PhotoNews Pakistan

Always Stay Up to Date

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

Categories

  • World
  • Pakistan
  • Punjab
  • Sindh
  • Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
  • Balochistan
  • Azad Jammu Kashmir

 

  • Top News
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Videos
  • Tech
  • Offbeat
  • Blog

© 2024 Phototnews
All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?