Polish attorney and government critic Roman Giertych's phone was hacked with the use of Pegasus system at least 18 times in 2019, according to an analysis carried out by Citizen Lab researchers. Pegasus is a surveillance tool that provides its operator complete access to a target’s mobile device, allowing the operator to extract passwords, files, photos, web history, contacts, as well as identity data.
Citizen Lab research group works at the University of Toronto. Its work focuses on tracking digital threats against civil society actors, as well as tracking the proliferation of the mercenary spyware industry.
Citizen Lab researchers presented an analysis on Monday which showed that attorney Roman Giertych and prosecutor Ewa Wrzosek had been under surveillance carried out through a use of Pegasus system.
Citizen Lab: Roman Giertych's phone hacked at least 18 times
In the analysis for Roman Giertych dated December 17, Citizen Lab confirmed that his phone was infected with Pegasus spyware system at least 18 times in 2019 - eleven times in September, four in October, two in November, and one in December.
The researchers stressed that the revealed cases did not preclude the possibility of other infections.
Pegasus provides "complete access"
Citizen Lab wrote in its analysis that Pegasus "is a surveillance tool that provides its operator complete access to a target’s mobile device". The spyware "allows the operator to extract passwords, files, photos, web history, contacts, as well as identity data (such as information about the mobile device)".
"Pegasus can take screen captures, and monitor user inputs, as well as activating a telephone’s microphone and camera. This enables attackers to monitor all activity on the device and in the vicinity of the device, such as conversations conducted in a room," we read.
Furthermore, the system "allows the operator to record chat messages as they are sent and received (including messages sent through 'encrypted' / disappearing-message-enabled texting apps like WhatsApp or Telegram), as well as phone and VoIP calls (including calls through “encrypted” calling apps)".
"For some chat programs, Pegasus also supports the extraction of past message logs. Pegasus also allows the operator to track the target’s location. As with any infection, spyware may also allow for the modification or manipulation of data on a device," Citizen Lab said.
"Polish services act in accordance with the law"
Poland's spokesperson for special services minister-coordinator, Stanisław Żaryn, said on Twitter on Tuesday that Polish services use operational surveillance in accordance with the law, and only after approval from the Prosecutor General and court.
He added that suggestions that Polish services use surveillance for political reasons were untrue, and that Roman Giertych has heard serious charges relating to financial crimes".
Źródło: TVN24 News in English, tvn24.pl
Źródło zdjęcia głównego: Tomasz Gzell/PAP