The United States has taken decisive action by imposing sanctions on two individuals and five entities connected to the creation and dissemination of the Predator commercial spyware, a tool used to target Americans, including government officials and journalists. The Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) specifically designated these entities associated with the Intellexa Consortium for their involvement in developing, operating, and distributing this spyware technology.
The sanctions specifically target individuals like Tal Jonathan Dilian, the Israeli founder of the Intellexa Consortium, and Sara Aleksandra Fayssal Hamou, a corporate specialist from Poland. Additionally, several companies linked to the distribution of spyware tech, including Cytrox AD, Cytrox Holdings Zartkoruen Mukodo Reszvenytarsasag, and Intellexa Limited, have also been sanctioned. These measures reflect the US government’s commitment to combatting the misuse of spyware and preventing human rights abuses facilitated by such technologies.
Intellexa’s Predator spyware has been used to target various individuals globally, including government officials, journalists, activists, and tech executives. Its deployment has enabled oppressive regimes to conduct state-sponsored cyberespionage and human rights violations. By imposing these sanctions, the US seeks to deter organizations and individuals from engaging in activities that undermine privacy and democratic principles while reaffirming its commitment to protecting American citizens and interests from cyber threats.
