Pegasus spyware targets Spanish PM, defence minister

“Illicit” spyware activity has reportedly breached the mobile phone data of senior Spanish government officials.

According to Spain’s Minister for the Presidency, Felix Bolanos, spyware software “Pegasus” has compromised the mobile phones of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Defence Minister Margarita Robles.

The attack, which occurred 12 months ago in May 2021, resulted in at least one data leak from Prime Minister Sanchez’s phone.

Bolanos has not disclosed whether foreign or domestic groups were responsible for the breach.

“The interventions were illicit and external. External means carried out by non-official bodies and without state authorisation,” he said.

The report comes amid internal pressure on the government regarding its own alleged Pegasus spyware campaign on more than 60 people linked to the Catalan separatist movement.

Pegasus was developed by Israeli technology company NSO Group, designed to help governments combat crime and terrorism.

The spyware can be deployed remotely, allowing users to access data and sensors, which include a target’s texts, emails, photo gallery, and microphone.

However, the technology has since been leveraged by malicious non-government actors.