Greek Politician Stelios Kouloglou Hacked by Pegasus Spyware Amid Investigation

Greek politician Stelios Kouloglou was shocked to discover that his phone had been hacked with Pegasus spyware, the very spyware he was investigating as part of the European Parliament's PEGA Committee. This revelation surfaced on Friday following a forensic analysis from the Citizen Lab.

Details of the Pegasus Spyware Investigation

In the summer of 2022, Kouloglou began probing into the use of Pegasus, which exploits vulnerabilities in mobile operating systems to compromise devices. This spyware can access microphones, cameras, messages, and personal information. The irony of Kouloglou being hacked while investigating the very spyware is significant and raises serious concerns regarding security.

The Citizen Lab report indicates that Kouloglou’s iPhone was infected not just once, but multiple times. This incident marks the first known case of a PEGA Committee member being targeted during their investigation into spyware.

Implications for European Politics

The implications of this incident are profound. The report suggests that the entity behind the hacking potentially gained access to sensitive information regarding the committee's activities, which could violate EU parliamentary confidentiality. John Scott-Railton, a senior researcher at Citizen Lab, stated, “It’s open spyware season on Europe’s lawmakers.”

This incident not only highlights the risks faced by politicians but also underscores the need for stronger protections against spyware. The European Parliament has acknowledged the situation, stating that they have a spyware screening system in place for all members.

The Broader Context of Spyware Use

The Pegasus Project has exposed the widespread use of this spyware globally, with at least 180 journalists among those targeted. The situation in Greece, referred to as “Greece’s Watergate,” involved similar spyware incidents against journalists and officials, further emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive policy measures to combat spyware misuse.

• Pegasus spyware targets mobile devices.
• First discovered by Citizen Lab in 2016.
• Significant implications for privacy and security in EU politics.

As the investigation continues, the findings from the Citizen Lab report will likely reverberate through political circles, prompting calls for greater accountability and protective measures against spyware.