• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us

For all official information and updates regarding COVID-19, visit the South African Department of Health's website at www.sacoronavirus.co.za

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
Home Sci-tech

‘Apple and Android phones hacked by Italian spyware’

23 June 2022, 11:52 PM  |
Reuters Reuters |  @SABCNews
A man takes pictures of iPhones in the new Apple flagship store on its opening day following an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Sanlitun in Beijing, China, July 17, 2020.

A man takes pictures of iPhones in the new Apple flagship store on its opening day following an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Sanlitun in Beijing, China, July 17, 2020.

Image: Reuters

A man takes pictures of iPhones in the new Apple flagship store on its opening day following an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Sanlitun in Beijing, China, July 17, 2020.

An Italian company’s hacking tools were used to spy on Apple Inc (AAPL.O) and Android smartphones in Italy and Kazakhstan, Alphabet Inc’s (GOOGL.O) Google said in a report on Thursday.

Milan-based RCS Lab, whose website claims European law enforcement agencies as clients, developed tools to spy on private messages and contacts of the targeted devices, the report said.

Google’s findings on RCS Lab comes as European and American regulators weigh potential new rules over the sale and import of spyware.

“These vendors are enabling the proliferation of dangerous hacking tools and arming governments that would not be able to develop these capabilities in-house,” Google said.

Apple and the governments of Italy and Kazakhstan did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

RCS Lab said its products and services comply with European rules and help law enforcement agencies investigate crimes.

“RCS Lab personnel are not exposed, nor participate in any activities conducted by the relevant customers,” it told Reuters in an email, adding that it condemned any abuse of its products.

Google said it had taken steps to protect users of its Android operating system and alerted them about the spyware.

The global industry making spyware for governments has been growing, with more and more companies developing interception tools for law enforcement organizations. Anti-surveillance activists accuse them of aiding governments that in some cases are using such tools to crack down on human rights and civil rights.

The industry came under a global spotlight when the Israeli surveillance firm NSO’s Pegasus spyware was in recent years found to have been used by multiple governments to spy on journalists, activists, and dissidents.

While RCS Lab’s tool may not be as stealthy as Pegasus, it can still read messages and view passwords, said Bill Marczak, a security researcher with digital watchdog Citizen Lab.

“This shows that even though these devices are ubiquitous, there’s still a long way to go in securing them against these powerful attacks,” he added.

On its website, RCS Lab describes itself as a maker of “lawful interception” technologies and services including voice, data collection and “tracking systems.” It says it handles 10,000 intercepted targets daily in Europe alone.

Google researchers found RCS Lab had previously collaborated with the controversial, defunct Italian spy firm Hacking Team, which had similarly created surveillance software for foreign governments to tap into phones and computers.

Hacking Team went bust after it became a victim of a major hack in 2015 that led to a disclosure of numerous internal documents.

In some cases, Google said it believed hackers using RCS spyware worked with the target’s internet service provider, which suggests they had ties to government-backed actors, said Billy Leonard, a senior researcher at Google.

Share article
Tags: Apple IncAndroidAndroid DevicesApple smartphones
Previous Post

Government’s project to eradicate potholes at advanced stage: Mbalula

Next Post

Nike to make full exit from Russia

Related Posts

An electric car is seen plugged in at a charging point for electric vehicles in Rome, Italy, April 28, 2021.

EU countries reach deal on climate laws after late-night talks

29 June 2022, 4:50 AM
The United States has 306 cases of monkeypox, a viral infection related to smallpox that causes painful skin lesions.

US steps up fight against monkeypox, allocates more vaccines to states

29 June 2022, 2:52 AM
Test tube labelled "Monkeypox virus positive" are seen in this illustration.

Health Department confirms second case of monkeypox in SA

28 June 2022, 6:39 PM
Men wear protective mask as they walk on a street in Adjame, area of Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

Decision to drop compulsory wearing of masks was premature: Solidarity Doctors Network

28 June 2022, 4:19 PM
The new quarantine rules were welcomed by American, British and European business lobby groups in China.

China slashes COVID quarantine time for international travellers

28 June 2022, 12:03 PM
General view of the ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe plant in Duisburg, Germany. [File image]

Fight over funding threatens EU deal on new climate laws

28 June 2022, 7:12 AM
Next Post
Residents carry their belongings near buildings destroyed in the course of Ukraine-Russia conflict, in the southern port city of Mariupol, Ukraine April 10, 2022.

Nike to make full exit from Russia

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • EMS says fire at Bree Street Taxi Rank in Johannesburg has been extinguished
  • The public has until 18 May to make submissions on Icasa’s regulations for extension of expiry period for data, airtime
  • ANC NEC expected to hold a special meeting on Sunday
  • Eastern Cape flood victims plead for support as access to food, services remains difficult
  • Amathole Regional Secretary elated to have corruption charges against him dropped
  • East London police search for clues that led to tavern death; calls to revoke tavern’s licence 
  • UPDATE: At least 17 people killed in an East London tavern stampede
  • South Africans no longer required to wear face masks indoors
  • E Cape Liquor Board says Enyobeni tavern owner will face criminal charges
  • Zulu Royal Palace abuzz as King Misuzulu’s cleansing ceremony continues
  • East London police search for clues that led to tavern death; calls to revoke tavern’s licence 
  • UPDATE: At least 17 people killed in an East London tavern stampede
  • Mosimane alleges sabotage from CAF President Patrice Motsepe
  • SANTACO and NTA calls on COSATU to join the national shutdown over the hiking fuel prices
  • NTA yet to decide whether to support calls for national shutdown amid fuel price hikes

LATEST

FILE PHOTO: A worker shelters from the rain under a Union Flag umbrella as he passes the London Stock Exchange in London, Britain
  • Business

FTSE 100 retreats from two-week high on slowdown worries


A power station seen in this picture.
  • Business

Eskom says it will take time before grid is fully restored


[File image]
  • Africa

Spain begins natural gas exports to Morocco following diplomatic row


Northern Cape Premier Zamani Saul
  • Politics

Northern Cape aims to improve municipalities’ audit outcomes


A towing truck seen in this picture.
  • South Africa

Tow truck drivers’ planned protest to impact traffic on N1: Metro Police


Rescuers work at a site of a shopping mall hit by a Russian missile strike, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in Kremenchuk, in Poltava region, Ukraine June 27, 2022.
  • World
  • Russia, Ukraine conflict

Civilian deaths mount as Russia presses attacks on Ukraine


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2022

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2022

Previous Government’s project to eradicate potholes at advanced stage: Mbalula
Next Nike to make full exit from Russia