US Sanctions Intellexa Spyware Network Over Threat to National Security

The U.S. Treasury sanctions the Intellexa Consortium and key figures for distributing Predator spyware, a serious national security threat. Intellexa, a rival to NSO Group, offers invasive Android and iOS hacking services globally.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has imposed sanctions on five individuals and one entity associated with the Intellexa Consortium. According to authorities, this group has been linked to developing and distributing spyware technology, posing substantial risks to U.S. national security.

The Intellexa Consortium, an international network of companies based in Europe, has emerged as a prominent organisation in the commercial spyware industry. Known primarily for its invasive “Predator” spyware, Intellexa Consortium has positioned itself as a rival to the NSO Group, the creators of the infamous Pegasus spyware.

As previously reported by Hackread.com, Intellexa offers hacking services targeting both Android and iOS devices, with contracts reportedly valued at up to $8 million.

“The United States will not tolerate the reckless propagation of disruptive technologies that threaten our national security and undermine the privacy and civil liberties of our citizens,” said Bradley T. Smith, Acting Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence in a press release. He emphasized that the government will hold accountable those responsible for the spread of exploitative technologies.

The sanctions reflect an ongoing effort to address the misuse of spyware by both state and non-state actors. Previous U.S. government measures have included sanctions, export controls, and visa bans targeting those involved in the commercial spyware market.

Intellexa’s Global Reach

Founded by Tal Jonathan Dilian, the Intellexa Consortium has a wide international footprint, with offices and research facilities spread across the European Union. The company’s flagship product, Predator spyware, can infiltrate devices through one-click and zero-click attacks, giving its operators access to sensitive data such as photos, geolocation, personal messages, and even microphone recordings.

Additionally, the spyware has been used by various state-sponsored actors to target government officials, journalists, political opponents, and policy experts.

The latest sanctions target key figures within the Intellexa network, including Felix Bitzios, Andrea Nicola Constantino Hermes Gambazzi, Merom Harpaz, Panagiota Karaoli, and Artemis Artemiou, along with the Aliada Group, a company based in the British Virgin Islands.

These individuals and entities have been accused of facilitating the development and distribution of Predator spyware, with several directly involved in supplying it to foreign governments.

Sanctions and Legal Ramifications

As a result of the sanctions, all U.S. assets and interests connected to the designated individuals and entities have been blocked. OFAC has prohibited U.S. persons from engaging in transactions involving the sanctioned parties.

Additionally, non-U.S. persons could face penalties for helping others evade these sanctions or otherwise violate U.S. regulations. Financial institutions and businesses engaging with the designated entities risk exposure to sanctions or enforcement actions themselves.

While initially marketed as tools for legitimate law enforcement purposes, these technologies have increasingly been misused to invade privacy and infringe upon civil liberties.

Nevertheless, with the rise of companies like Intellexa, which challenge known players such as the NSO Group, the stakes for regulating and controlling the spread of spyware are higher than ever.

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