Security News > 2022 > July > US military contractor moves to buy Israeli spy-tech company NSO Group

US security technology provider L3Harris has courted controversial Israeli spyware firm NSO with an aim to buy it, according to reports.

The New York Times claims L3Harris in recent months sent a team to Israel to try to smooth passage of the deal, which was made challenging by US president Joe Biden's decision to blacklist NSO following the use of its Pegasus software to crack phones of politicians and campaigners.

The L3Harris executives delivered a message that the US government offers tacit support of its acquisition bid, although public statements were unlikely, according to five separate sources.

Later, L3Harris told officials it planned to end its attempt to buy the company while conflicting accounts said it hoped to restart them.

News website Intelligence Online has also reported L3Harris efforts to buy NSO , although it quoted White House officials as saying the deal could create "Serious counterintelligence and security concerns" for the US. The Register has offered L3Harris and NSO the opportunity to comment on claims made by the New York Times and Intelligence Online.

In June, NSO told European lawmakers that "Under 50" customers use its notorious Pegasus spyware, though it admitted these customers include "More than five" European Union member states.

News URL

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2022/07/11/l3harris_nso_group/