Meta-owned WhatsApp has disrupted a cyber-espionage operation that used the services of Israeli firm Paragon Solutions to target around 90 journalists and non-governmental organisations.
Paragon, which has been dubbed a competitor to notorious Israeli spyware company NSO Group, sold the hyper-advanced spyware, dubbed ‘Stealer’, to an unnamed purchaser.
The attacker is believed to have been trying to intercept WhatsApp messages, record from the phone’s microphone and even scoop up location data.
In a similar move to the company’s prior takedown of NSO Group’s ‘Pegasus’ spyware, WhatsApp has sent a cease and desist letter to Paragon, while informing affected users.
It is also “exploring its legal options” in relation to the case.