Intellexa Consortium, the spyware powerhouse behind the infamous “Predator” program, has recently faced the wrath of the US authorities.
On September 16, 2024, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned five persons and one dubious business associated with Intellexa.
The authorities accused them of manufacturing and distributing spyware that is not only invasive but also constitutes a severe national security concern.
These sanctions are part of the United States government's escalating attempts to eliminate the spyware industry, which is causing havoc around the world.
Let's be honest: no one likes spyware, except for some rogue governments and nefarious organizations.
Intellexa's “Predator” malware can enter your phone with a single click—or worse, no click at all.
Once inside, it can steal your private messages, images, geolocation, and even access your microphone.
The spyware was sold to governments and state-sponsored entities all across the world, who used it to spy on officials, journalists, and politicians.
Tal Jonathan Dilian, the creator of Intellexa, and his executive team, according to OFAC, are working hard to propagate digital dictatorship.
Among the sanctioned persons are Felix Bitzios, who was involved in delivering Predator to a foreign government, and Andrea Gambazzi, who owns companies that promote Predator to even more innocent consumers.
Intellexa's activities were described as “reckless” by the Treasury Department, with Acting Under Secretary Bradley T. Smith saying they would not be tolerated.
These sanctions limit any assets held by the named persons or companies in the United States, thereby prohibiting them from conducting business with US citizens or entities.
Predator may be Intellexa's preferred tool, but it has now become a top target for US authorities, who are increasingly cracking down on these providers of privacy-invading technology.