Spyware maker Paragon confirms US government is a customer

Israeli Spyware Maker Paragon Solutions confirmed to TechCrunch that it sells its products to the US government and other undefined allied countries.

Paragon Executive Chairman John Fleming on Tuesday said in a statement to TechCrunch that “Paragon licenses his technology to an elected group of democracy worldwide – mainly, the United States and its allies.”

Fleming also said that “Paragon agrees to the terms and conditions that clearly ban the illegal targets of the personality and other civil society personality. We have zero-tolerance policies against this national target and our relationship with any customer that violates the conditions of our service is closed Will. ”

These comments come after Friday WhatsApp alleged that Paragon’s spyware was used to promote a hacking It targets about 90 journalists and other members of civil society. From that at least two people have come forward claiming they were in the goals: Italian journalist Francesco CancellatoAnd Sweden -based Libyan workers Husam El GomaThe

Fleming did not answer multiple specific questions, including more detailed asking about Paragon as US ally and democracy; What exactly is the terms of its service say about the ban on journalists and civil society members with spyware; Companies can investigate and investigate allegations of abuse of abuse, such as made by WhatsApp; Whether the company is investigating WhatsApp allegations; And if Paragon never stops an agreement because of such a violation.

Last year, wired First report Was that Paragon’s Authorized Organization of Paragon Signing an agreement $ 2 million is worth with US immigration and tariff application, but the company has not commented at that time.

US Private Equity Farm This industry has done a bid for the achievement of Paragon Last year about 900 million dollars. Upon arriving, the industry spokesman Matt Conoro did not comment and was left behind in Paragon.

WhatsApp said on Friday that it had sent Paragon a stopped and sent a letter of ban. Fleming refused to comment in the letter.

Director of the Canceleto News website Fanpage.ITWhich To publish an investigation Last year, “Geovant Meloniana” is the youth branch of the Fretilly de Italia Party, led by the current Prime Minister Georgia Meloni, who has been the head of the Italian government since 2022. “Meloniana in Geovent,” Fanpage showed that most of them made the racist and opposition comments, used the N-word, and the Nazi and Italian pro-auti-hostor Benito Mussolini chanted slogans. Investigation Opposition parties have been requested To criticize Meloni.

“I feel violated,” Canceto, Talked to learn who was targeting his phoneTell TechCrunch. “You ask yourself, why me? This thing, I mean, what do they want from me? “

El Gomati while in Sweden and Libyan, he There is Criticism Their cooperation between the Italian and the Libyan government, especially the Libyan immigrants to prevent the Mediterranean and from reaching the European country.

Ynetnews Report Monday that Italy is a paragon customer. However, no other confirmation has been made so far.

Fleming did not respond to the Paragon customer in Italy and the Italian government did not respond to any request to comment on TechCrunch.