Silicon Valley, CA – WhatsApp, owned by Meta, has revealed that an Israeli spyware firm attempted to hack the accounts of journalists, activists, and public figures worldwide, marking yet another alarming case of cyber surveillance targeting the press. The spyware, developed by Paragon Solutions, was reportedly deployed in a zero-click exploit, meaning victims could be infected without taking any action.
According to The Verge, the attack targeted at least 100 individuals, including journalists, human rights activists, and political dissidents. WhatsApp detected and blocked the operation, preventing further infiltration, but the disclosure raises fresh concerns over state-backed cyber espionage and the use of Israeli-made spyware for surveillance.
TechCrunch reported that Paragon Solutions, a little-known Israeli cyber intelligence firm, was behind the attack. The company, which develops highly sophisticated surveillance tools, has been linked to government agencies and law enforcement groups seeking to monitor individuals of interest.
The spyware was allegedly deployed using a zero-click vulnerability within WhatsApp, meaning users did not need to click a link or download a file to be infected. The Guardian highlighted the case of an Italian journalist, one of the identified targets, whose WhatsApp account was compromised in an attempt to monitor communications.
Reuters confirmed that WhatsApp has notified affected individuals and has taken additional security measures to prevent future breaches. While Meta has not disclosed how Paragon managed to exploit the platform, the company assured users that the vulnerability has since been patched.
Engadget reported that Paragon Solutions markets its spyware as a tool for law enforcement to track criminals, but like previous spyware scandals involving NSO Group’s Pegasus software, critics argue that these tools are frequently misused by authoritarian governments to silence dissent.
Bloomberg stated that WhatsApp has previously taken legal action against Israeli spyware firms, including NSO Group, and has vowed to continue fighting against cyber threats that target its platform.
According to PCMag, cybersecurity researchers confirmed that the zero-click attack leveraged an undisclosed vulnerability, but details remain classified to prevent further exploitation.
The Hacker News reported that WhatsApp and Meta have escalated the issue to international regulators, urging stricter action against spyware vendors operating outside ethical and legal boundaries.
This latest incident underscores the growing threat of surveillance technology being weaponized against journalists and activists. While WhatsApp successfully blocked the attack, cybersecurity experts warn that spyware firms will continue to find new ways to exploit encrypted messaging platforms, making digital privacy and security an ongoing battle.
