WhatsApp Targets Paragon for Global Spyware Attack

Meta-owned WhatsApp has identified a zero-click spyware attack targeting around 90 journalists and civil society members, believed to have been orchestrated by Israeli spyware company Paragon Solutions. The spyware, known as Graphite, infiltrates devices without user interaction, compromising encrypted apps like WhatsApp and Signal, granting attackers full control over the phones. WhatsApp has sent a cease-and-desist letter to Paragon and is exploring legal actions to hold them accountable, emphasizing the need for greater oversight of spyware companies. The attacks were detected across more than 20 countries, with WhatsApp notifying affected users and collaborating with Citizen Lab for further investigation. Despite Paragon's claims of ethical practices, the incident highlights ongoing abuses in the commercial spyware industry, drawing parallels to previous controversies involving other Israeli firms like NSO Group.