by Andrew P. Napolitano
LewRockwell.com
Three weeks ago, this column reported on warnings issued by the Biden administration about the dangers of spyware. Spyware is software that permits the user to hack a computer unseen, unheard and undetected. The manufacturer of the warned-about spyware is an Israeli company called NSO, and its product is called Pegasus.
Pegasus permits its users to type in anyone’s cell number and, without requiring a response from the operator of the mobile device, gain complete access to the full contents of that device. Even though doing this in America or to an American is a federal crime — commonly called computer hacking — the Israelis have used it as part of their intelligence services for about six years.
They have also sold it to about a dozen foreign government entities who have used it for law enforcement, spying and harassing political opposition and journalists.
One of the government entities that purchased Pegasus is the FBI.