Spyware Maker NSO Group Is Paving a Path Back Into Trump’s America
1 min read
Summary
Israeli firm NSO Group, maker of the Pegasus spyware, has started working with the Vogel Group as a lobbying partner in Washington as it seeks to engage with the new US executive branch under President Donald Trump.
The Vogel Group was founded by Alex Vogel, who served as chief counsel to former Senate majority leader Bill Frist.
The group’s connection to Trump includes areas of key interest to NSO Group, which has been barred from doing business with US companies since 2021 over human rights concerns.
The Israeli firm has terminated or altered its engagement with several previous lobbying consultancies in Washington, some of whom were aligned with the Democrats.
NSO Group’s recent lobbying efforts appear to have mainly focused on Republican lawmakers, more than executive branch power players.
The Biden administration had been engaged in a crackdown on commercial spyware.
