The NSO Group is accused of making it easier for authoritarian governments to use their software to spy on journalists and activists.
Now the Israeli company is on a sanctions list.
Washington - The US has put the Israeli developer of the infamous espionage software Pegasus on its sanctions list.
In addition to the NSO Group, punitive measures would also be imposed against another Israeli software company called Candiru, the Department of Commerce announced in Washington on Wednesday. There is evidence that these companies "developed and delivered spy software to foreign governments that used these tools to maliciously monitor government officials, journalists, business people, activists, academics and embassy workers."
A total of four companies were on the list because their activities "run counter to the national security or foreign policy interests of the United States," as the press release said.
Positive Technologies (Russia) and Computer Security Initiative Consultancy (Singapore) dealt with cyber tools "which are used to gain unauthorized access to information systems and thereby threaten the privacy and security of individuals and organizations worldwide".
Export restrictions apply to trade in US goods with regard to companies on the so-called Entity List.
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The NSO Group hit the headlines around the world with its Pegasus spy software in the summer.
Journalists uncovered that the program - contrary to repeated assurances by the developers - was abused.
They were able to show that heads of state and government as well as at least 180 journalists, human rights defenders, trade unionists, diplomats and several heads of state and government were targeted.
dpa
