US military contractor L3Harris is exploring the acquisition of spy technology belonging to the NSO Group, which is famous for its Pegasus spyware that can hack WhatsApp.
If the acquisition is successful, the US company will acquire one of the most sophisticated and controversial software hacking technologies, namely Pegasus, as quoted by The Guardian, Thursday (16/6/2022).
Sources confirm that discussions between the two companies are currently focused on selling its core technology (or code), including the transfer of some of the Israeli company's employees to L3Harris.
However, there is still a long way to go for the acquisition because there are still many things to fulfill, including permits from the US and Israeli governments, which so far have not been granted.
"A transaction like this, if true, would raise security and counterintelligence concerns for the United States government," said a senior White House official.
The interesting thing about this acquisition is that US President Joe Biden just a year ago put NSO on the black list, and accused it of carrying out actions that violated foreign policy and national security issues in the United States.
NSO is known for its services which are often used by governments of several countries, namely to provide services of spy technology, which unfortunately is often misused to target journalists, human rights activists, government officials, and various other professions.
When asked for comment, a spokesperson for L3Harris said that they are aware of the capabilities of the technology, and continue to evaluate the needs of their customers in terms of national security.
"So far everything other than that is just speculation," he said.
However, even if L3Harris acquires the technology, NSO will remain on the US government blacklist, or Entity List. And even the acquisition allows NSO to be investigated further regarding counterintelligence security threats to the US Government.