Skip to main content
syn
Daily Digest
Technology

Spyware used against MEP investigating Pegasus abuses

Published Friday, July 3, 2026 · Updated July 3

Share on X

Narrative Spectrum

Convergent Narrative · 0
  • Systemic Threat to Democracy — 2 sources

Media Analysis

AI synthesis

A new report by Citizen Lab reveals that the iPhone of Greek MEP Stelios Kouloglou was infected multiple times with NSO Group's Pegasus spyware between 2022 and 2023. This occurred while Kouloglou was investigating spyware abuses in Europe. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about the threat of mercenary spyware to democratic processes and individual privacy.

Framing differences

Both outlets focus on the threat to democracy and privacy, but Al Jazeera English specifically highlights the broader failure to regulate the commercial spyware market and aligns with a Global South perspective on human rights and digital security, while The Guardian focuses more on the failure of European institutions to address abuses.

What We Know — Key Points

  • NSO Group’s hacking software was repeatedly used against a member of the European parliament while he was conducting an investigation of spyware abuses in Europe, according to a new report.
  • The iPhone of Greek investigative journalist Stelios Kouloglou, who served as an MEP from 2015 to 2024, was infected at least three times with Pegasus spyware in 2022 and 2023, as reported by Citizen Lab on Friday.

What Is Claimed — Perspectives

Systemic Threat to Democracy
  • The Guardian

    The article underscores the critical threat spyware poses to democracy and individual privacy, highlighting the failure of European institutions to effectively address these abuses despite investigations.

  • Al Jazeera English

    The article emphasizes the threat mercenary spyware poses to democratic processes and oversight, particularly in Europe, and highlights the broader failure to regulate the commercial spyware market, aligning with a Global South Center-Left perspective on human rights and digital security.

AI-Generated Content

  • This topic was generated by an AI system.
  • Key points, perspectives, bias labels, and categorisation may contain errors.
  • This is not journalism. Do not rely on this content for critical decisions.
  • Read our full AI disclaimer for details.