A Greek court has sentenced four individuals, including two Israelis, to eight years in prison for their involvement in a spyware scandal that emerged in 2022.
A Greek court has recently handed down eight-year prison sentences to four convicted individuals, among them two Israelis, over a major spyware scandal that significantly affected the Greek government. The case revolves around the illegal use of the 'Predator' software, which was reportedly utilized to target the phones of over 90 politicians, journalists, businessmen, and high-ranking military officials. The gravity of the situation has prompted intense scrutiny of surveillance practices in the nation and raised concerns about privacy violations.
Key figures in the case include Tal Dillian, a former Israeli soldier and founder of Intellexa, a company that specializes in spyware and marketed the 'Predator' software within Greece. Alongside him, a Greek executive from Intellexa and other previous company executives are currently facing trial. The convicted individuals, who failed to appear for their court proceedings, were found guilty of breaching telephone communication confidentiality, repeatedly manipulating archived personal data systems, and unlawfully accessing information systems or datasets. They are expected to remain free pending an appeal from their lawyers.
The 'Predator' software is a highly sophisticated tool that allows for extensive surveillance capabilities, including tapping into mobile phones to access private messages, photos, and even remotely activating microphones and cameras. The roots of this scandal trace back to early 2022, highlighting significant legal and ethical implications regarding state surveillance and data privacy in Greece and potentially beyond, shining a light on broader geopolitical dynamics involving Israel, Greece, and surveillance technology companies.
