What's happened
Greece's court found four individuals guilty of illegal surveillance using Predator spyware, including Tal Dilian, founder of Intellexa. The case, dubbed the 'Greek Watergate,' involves the targeting of over 90 people, including politicians and journalists, and highlights ongoing concerns over spyware misuse.
What's behind the headline?
The Greek Watergate exposes the dangerous potential of commercial spyware like Predator, which can infiltrate mobile devices and access personal data without consent. The conviction of Intellexa executives signals a rare legal crackdown on spyware misuse, but the case also reveals systemic issues in oversight and accountability. The scandal underscores how spyware can be weaponized against political opponents and journalists, threatening media freedom and democratic processes. The court's decision to convict the defendants, despite their absence, indicates a shift toward holding private firms accountable for illegal surveillance. However, the limited scope of investigation and the failure to scrutinize the broader network suggest that many questions remain about state complicity and the extent of surveillance abuses. Moving forward, Greece's case may serve as a precedent for tighter regulation of spyware technology and increased international cooperation to prevent misuse. The case also highlights the geopolitical implications of spyware, with Israeli firms like NSO Group and Intellexa playing central roles in global surveillance controversies. Ultimately, this verdict should prompt governments worldwide to reassess their oversight of commercial spyware and reinforce protections for privacy and civil liberties.
What the papers say
The Times of Israel reports that the court found four individuals guilty of breaching confidentiality and tampering with data, including Tal Dilian, founder of Intellexa, which marketed Predator spyware. The case, dubbed the 'Greek Watergate,' was triggered by revelations from journalist Thanassis Koukakis and politician Nikos Androulakis, who discovered they had been wiretapped. Al Jazeera highlights the political fallout, including resignations and ongoing investigations, emphasizing the broader implications for media freedom and civil rights. Both sources note the limited scope of the investigation and the absence of key witnesses, raising concerns about the thoroughness of the judicial process and potential state involvement.
How we got here
The scandal emerged in 2022 when Greek journalist Thanassis Koukakis and opposition leader Nikos Androulakis revealed they had been wiretapped with Predator spyware. The spyware, supplied by Intellexa, was used against more than 90 individuals, prompting political fallout and resignations. The case gained international attention amid allegations of misuse by Greek authorities and the involvement of Israeli spyware firms.
Go deeper
More on these topics
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Tal Dilian is a Colonel in reserves in the Israel Defense Forces and served as Chief Commander of the army’s Technological Unit.
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Nikos Androulakis is a Greek politician and secretary of the Panhellenic Socialist Movement. In 2014, he was elected as a Member of the European Parliament.
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Kyriakos Mitsotakis is a Greek politician that is serving as Prime Minister of Greece since 8 July 2019. A member of New Democracy, he has been its president since 2016.