WhatsApp Boosts Security: Blocks Paragon Spyware Usage

Meta has confirmed the end of a major spyware campaign that was spreading through WhatsApp. This campaign reportedly affected around 90 individuals, mostly journalists and activists. The campaign is believed to be linked to the Israeli-based group Paragon, known for producing spyware. Paragon was acquired by the AE Industrial group last December. According to WhatsApp, the campaign used the platform to try to infect victims’ devices and collect massive amounts of potentially sensitive data and information.

WhatsApp claims to have directly contacted all the individuals affected by the campaign. Additionally, the platform emphasized that the companies behind this type of spyware should be held accountable for the services they provide. Meta’s platform states that the campaign used maliciously modified PDF files to compromise victims’ devices. At the same time, Meta says it has released fixes to prevent the success of similar campaigns in the future.

The company believes that this malicious campaign may have started in December. At that time, Meta even sent a direct letter to Paragon, alerting them to the situation and the potential legal consequences. This is the first time that Paragon’s activities have been directly associated with campaigns targeting journalists and activists using their spyware.

Although Paragon was founded in 2019, it has managed to keep its malicious activities low-profile and disconnected from its name. The recently discovered WhatsApp campaign is the first to have a direct and confirmed link to Paragon. Currently, the objectives and potential targets of this espionage campaign remain unknown.