US puts new controls on Israeli spyware company NSO Group

The US Commerce Department said NSO Group and three other firms are being added to the 'entity list,' which limits their access to US components and technology by requiring government permission for exports. — AFP

RICHMOND: The Biden administration announced Wednesday it is putting new export limits on Israel's NSO Group, the world’s most infamous hacker-for-hire company, saying its tools have been used to "conduct transnational repression.”

The company, whose spyware researchers say has been used around the world to break into the phones of human rights activists, journalists, and even members of the Catholic clergy, said it would advocate for a reversal.