Vas Panagiotopoulos
@vaspanagiotopoulos.com
Journalist interested in #surveillance | Contributor: @wired.com | @ftm.eu | Covers 🇬🇷 for @rsf.org | Researcher: @deakinuniversity.bsky.social | 2026 Fellow @techpolicypress.bsky.social
☏ Signal: vas.99
http://vaspanagiotopoulos.com
☏ Signal: vas.99
http://vaspanagiotopoulos.com
Pinned
ICE Signs $2 Million Contract With Spyware Maker Paragon Solutions
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s one-year contract with Paragon’s US subsidiary comes amid the Biden administration’s years-long crackdown on commercial spyware vendors.
www.wired.com
🇺🇸 Immigration and Customs Enforcement has signed a $2 million contract with 🇮🇱Israeli commercial #spyware vendor Paragon Solutions.
It is unknown whether the contract is for the deployment of Paragon’s flagship product Graphite.
My latest for WIRED. 👇
www.wired.com/story/ice-pa...
It is unknown whether the contract is for the deployment of Paragon’s flagship product Graphite.
My latest for WIRED. 👇
www.wired.com/story/ice-pa...
🇨🇾 Cyprus: The Attorney General has killed off an investigation into the “black van” surveillance scandal, the Anti-Corruption Authority says - because he refused to approve it.
www.philenews.com/kipros/koino...
www.philenews.com/kipros/koino...
Υπόθεση «μαύρου βαν»: Τερμάτισε την έρευνα ο Γενικός Εισαγγελέας
Τερμάτισε εν τη γενέσει της την έρευνα για το «μαύρο βαν» και τις παρακολουθήσεις ο Γενικός Εισαγγελέας. Αυτό αναφέρει με ανακοίνωσή της η Ανεξάρτητη Αρχή
www.philenews.com
September 14, 2026 at 8:28 AM
🇨🇾 Cyprus: The Attorney General has killed off an investigation into the “black van” surveillance scandal, the Anti-Corruption Authority says - because he refused to approve it.
www.philenews.com/kipros/koino...
www.philenews.com/kipros/koino...
🇨🇾 In Cyprus, Transparency Commissioner Harris Poyiadjis, who heads the anti-corruption authority, told the parliamentary institutions committee that they plan to release a statement on Monday regarding the case of the so-called “black van”. (WiSpear/Tal Dilian)
ua.news/en/world/kom...
ua.news/en/world/kom...
Cyprus commissioner to issue statement on ‘black van’ case
Cyprus’s transparency commissioner said a statement on the “black van” case is planned for Monday, following an MP’s inquiry.
ua.news
September 13, 2026 at 9:20 PM
🇨🇾 In Cyprus, Transparency Commissioner Harris Poyiadjis, who heads the anti-corruption authority, told the parliamentary institutions committee that they plan to release a statement on Monday regarding the case of the so-called “black van”. (WiSpear/Tal Dilian)
ua.news/en/world/kom...
ua.news/en/world/kom...
Three 🇺🇸U.S. lawmakers have called on the American government to blacklist a set of 🇮🇳Indian IT firms over what they describe as “more than fifteen years of targeted espionage against U.S. citizens, businesses, and the lawyers representing them."
www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
US lawmakers call on American government to blacklist three Indian hack-for-hire firms
Three U.S. lawmakers have called on the American government to blacklist a set of Indian IT firms over what they describe as “more than fifteen years of targeted espionage against U.S. citizens, busi...
www.reuters.com
September 11, 2026 at 5:04 PM
Three 🇺🇸U.S. lawmakers have called on the American government to blacklist a set of 🇮🇳Indian IT firms over what they describe as “more than fifteen years of targeted espionage against U.S. citizens, businesses, and the lawyers representing them."
www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
📈 Investors should screen commercial #spyware companies from their investment universe, and require fund managers to identify & prevent exposure across investment chains, writes @business-humanrights.org’s Meredith Veit.
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/s...
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/s...
Spyware can easily fall into the wrong hands – investors should take note | Letter
Letters: The reported targeting of student activists in Serbia is an example of increased misuse, with serious consequences for the commercial spyware industry
www.theguardian.com
September 10, 2026 at 11:02 AM
📈 Investors should screen commercial #spyware companies from their investment universe, and require fund managers to identify & prevent exposure across investment chains, writes @business-humanrights.org’s Meredith Veit.
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/s...
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/s...
“Apple sent notifications to phones belonging to at least three 🇹🇷Turkish ministers warning that they may have been targeted in mercenary #spyware attacks.”
www.middleeasteye.net/news/suspect...
www.middleeasteye.net/news/suspect...
Suspected spyware attacks target Turkish ministers’ phones
Ankara believes the attempts were unsuccessful, citing enhanced security measures and encrypted applications
www.middleeasteye.net
September 9, 2026 at 7:58 PM
“Apple sent notifications to phones belonging to at least three 🇹🇷Turkish ministers warning that they may have been targeted in mercenary #spyware attacks.”
www.middleeasteye.net/news/suspect...
www.middleeasteye.net/news/suspect...
Reposted by Vas Panagiotopoulos
Le gouvernement de Vučić utilise l'appareil sécuritaire de la #Serbie comme arme contre des étudiants pacifiques et l'opposition!
Avec mes collègues députés européens issus de cinq groupes politiques, nous exigeons que l'UE prenne des mesures face à l'utilisation de #logiciels espions.
Avec mes collègues députés européens issus de cinq groupes politiques, nous exigeons que l'UE prenne des mesures face à l'utilisation de #logiciels espions.
September 4, 2026 at 5:11 PM
Le gouvernement de Vučić utilise l'appareil sécuritaire de la #Serbie comme arme contre des étudiants pacifiques et l'opposition!
Avec mes collègues députés européens issus de cinq groupes politiques, nous exigeons que l'UE prenne des mesures face à l'utilisation de #logiciels espions.
Avec mes collègues députés européens issus de cinq groupes politiques, nous exigeons que l'UE prenne des mesures face à l'utilisation de #logiciels espions.
Reposted by Vas Panagiotopoulos
1/ NEW: an investigation by our collaborator SHARE Foundation reveals widespread spyware targeting Serbia's pro-democracy student movement.
The Citizen Lab confirms that an iPhone belonging to a student was infected with Pegasus spyware.
Read more: sharefoundation.info/en/share-fou...
The Citizen Lab confirms that an iPhone belonging to a student was infected with Pegasus spyware.
Read more: sharefoundation.info/en/share-fou...
SHARE Foundation: Students and Opposition Politicians Targeted by Spyware - SHARE Fondacija
The SHARE Foundation has confirmed that at least 14 people in Serbia were targeted with advanced spyware since at the beginning of 2026 – the largest documented wave of such surveillance in the countr...
sharefoundation.info
September 2, 2026 at 8:32 PM
1/ NEW: an investigation by our collaborator SHARE Foundation reveals widespread spyware targeting Serbia's pro-democracy student movement.
The Citizen Lab confirms that an iPhone belonging to a student was infected with Pegasus spyware.
Read more: sharefoundation.info/en/share-fou...
The Citizen Lab confirms that an iPhone belonging to a student was infected with Pegasus spyware.
Read more: sharefoundation.info/en/share-fou...
🇬🇷Greece’s wiretapping scandal took a new turn on Tuesday after an active high-ranking officer in the country’s intelligence service EYP filed criminal charges against four business executives linked to the #spyware developer Intellexa for espionage.
www.ekathimerini.com/news/1313941...
www.ekathimerini.com/news/1313941...
High-ranking spy agency officer targets Intellexa execs over illegal wiretapping | eKathimerini.com
Greece’s wiretapping scandal took a new turn on Tuesday after an active high-ranking officer in the country’s intelligence service EYP filed criminal charges against four business executives linked to...
www.ekathimerini.com
September 2, 2026 at 5:03 AM
🇬🇷Greece’s wiretapping scandal took a new turn on Tuesday after an active high-ranking officer in the country’s intelligence service EYP filed criminal charges against four business executives linked to the #spyware developer Intellexa for espionage.
www.ekathimerini.com/news/1313941...
www.ekathimerini.com/news/1313941...
🇬🇧Supreme Court has opened the door for victims of spyware & other digital transnational repression to sue foreign states—a meaningful victory for individuals & orgs fighting abuse of these technologies.
✍️ @sanstis.bsky.social @natynettle.bsky.social & Kate Pundyk
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/u.k....
✍️ @sanstis.bsky.social @natynettle.bsky.social & Kate Pundyk
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/u.k....
U.K. Supreme Court Opens Door for Spyware Victims to Sue Foreign States
The Kingdom of Bahrain cannot claim immunity from a suit by exiled dissidents over harm caused by spyware surveillance on U.K. soil.
www.lawfaremedia.org
August 28, 2026 at 9:54 PM
🇬🇧Supreme Court has opened the door for victims of spyware & other digital transnational repression to sue foreign states—a meaningful victory for individuals & orgs fighting abuse of these technologies.
✍️ @sanstis.bsky.social @natynettle.bsky.social & Kate Pundyk
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/u.k....
✍️ @sanstis.bsky.social @natynettle.bsky.social & Kate Pundyk
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/u.k....
@nasoskoukakis.bsky.social has taken his surveillance case to the ⚖️ @echr.coe.int alleging that 🇬🇷authorities failed to conduct an independent, impartial & effective investigation into his monitoring by the country’s intelligence service & through the Predator #spyware.
www.dnews.gr/eidhseis/new...
www.dnews.gr/eidhseis/new...
Greek Predator Spyware Case Moves to European Human-Rights Court - Dnews
Koukakis, a financial and investigative journalist, was subjected to two forms of surveillance: monitoring by Greece’s National Intelligence Service and a separate infection of his mobile phone with P...
www.dnews.gr
August 27, 2026 at 7:47 AM
@nasoskoukakis.bsky.social has taken his surveillance case to the ⚖️ @echr.coe.int alleging that 🇬🇷authorities failed to conduct an independent, impartial & effective investigation into his monitoring by the country’s intelligence service & through the Predator #spyware.
www.dnews.gr/eidhseis/new...
www.dnews.gr/eidhseis/new...
Reposted by Vas Panagiotopoulos
New: The British government is seeking new powers that would allow it to ban technology vendors on national security grounds from supplying companies working in the country’s critical sectors — potentially doing so in secret.
UK government seeks powers to secretly block risky tech suppliers
The British government is seeking new powers to ban certain technology vendors from supplying companies working in the country’s critical sectors — potentially doing so in secret.
therecord.media
August 25, 2026 at 12:51 PM
New: The British government is seeking new powers that would allow it to ban technology vendors on national security grounds from supplying companies working in the country’s critical sectors — potentially doing so in secret.
Reposted by Vas Panagiotopoulos
NEW: Sen. Ron Wyden is asking a U.S. government watchdog to review how federal law enforcement agencies are using hacking tools and spyware in their investigations.
Wyden is worried about federal agents abusing them, the risk of dangerous leaks like the Peter Williams/Trenchant case, and more.
Wyden is worried about federal agents abusing them, the risk of dangerous leaks like the Peter Williams/Trenchant case, and more.
Senator asks US government watchdog to review how feds use hacking tools | TechCrunch
Senator Ron Wyden sent a letter to the U.S. federal watchdog requesting a comprehensive review of how the FBI, DEA, ICE's HSI, and the Secret Service use hacking tools and spyware against Americans.
techcrunch.com
August 21, 2026 at 1:39 PM
NEW: Sen. Ron Wyden is asking a U.S. government watchdog to review how federal law enforcement agencies are using hacking tools and spyware in their investigations.
Wyden is worried about federal agents abusing them, the risk of dangerous leaks like the Peter Williams/Trenchant case, and more.
Wyden is worried about federal agents abusing them, the risk of dangerous leaks like the Peter Williams/Trenchant case, and more.
REDLattice, the Chantilly-based spyware/cyber-intelligence firm that now owns Paragon Solutions, was reportedly among recipients of a five-year 🇺🇸US Navy contract worth up to $400m (via Jack Poulson).
substack.com/@jackpoulson...
substack.com/@jackpoulson...
Jack Poulson (@jackpoulson)
The current owner of the original Paragon Solutions Graphite team, the Chantilly-based spyware / cyber intelligence company REDLattice, last week was one of numerous recipients of a five year, potenti...
substack.com
August 20, 2026 at 2:04 PM
REDLattice, the Chantilly-based spyware/cyber-intelligence firm that now owns Paragon Solutions, was reportedly among recipients of a five-year 🇺🇸US Navy contract worth up to $400m (via Jack Poulson).
substack.com/@jackpoulson...
substack.com/@jackpoulson...
Reposted by Vas Panagiotopoulos
NEW: An "unprecedented" number of people have received Apple's latest notifications alerting them they were targeted with mercenary spyware, according to security researchers.
A soldier fighting in Ukraine told us he knows of other soldiers getting them. Lots of posts on social media too.
A soldier fighting in Ukraine told us he knows of other soldiers getting them. Lots of posts on social media too.
‘Unprecedented’ number of Apple users received recent spyware alert, say investigators | TechCrunch
Cybersecurity experts who investigate spyware attacks say the number of people who received a recent threat notification from Apple is unusually high.
techcrunch.com
August 17, 2026 at 8:22 PM
NEW: An "unprecedented" number of people have received Apple's latest notifications alerting them they were targeted with mercenary spyware, according to security researchers.
A soldier fighting in Ukraine told us he knows of other soldiers getting them. Lots of posts on social media too.
A soldier fighting in Ukraine told us he knows of other soldiers getting them. Lots of posts on social media too.
Starting in 2029, 🇺🇸US judiciary will publicly disclose precisely how many times judges authorized the use of wiretaps to be carried out with hacking tools & #spyware, which fall under the category of what the feds call network investigating techniques, or NITs.
techcrunch.com/2026/08/14/u...
techcrunch.com/2026/08/14/u...
US courts will start publishing how often the government uses spyware | TechCrunch
The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts told TechCrunch that it will start disclosing how many times judges authorized the use of spyware to wiretap suspected criminals.
techcrunch.com
August 14, 2026 at 6:48 PM
Starting in 2029, 🇺🇸US judiciary will publicly disclose precisely how many times judges authorized the use of wiretaps to be carried out with hacking tools & #spyware, which fall under the category of what the feds call network investigating techniques, or NITs.
techcrunch.com/2026/08/14/u...
techcrunch.com/2026/08/14/u...
“Apple told TechCrunch that it sent out the notifications on Thursday to users targeted in 110 countries. Apple says to date it has notified customers in over 150 countries, giving some context to how far government-used #spyware has spread around the world.”
New, by me: Apple told me it's sending out threat notifications to customers in 110 countries saying they've been targeted with spyware. This latest batch also features a new push notification, warning users to take action and what to do next.
Bypass for ad-blockers: web.archive.org/web/20260813...
Bypass for ad-blockers: web.archive.org/web/20260813...
If Apple sends you a push notification alerting you to a spyware attack, take it seriously | TechCrunch
Apple now sends out push notifications to iPhone lock screens when the company identifies government spyware targeting someone's devices.
techcrunch.com
August 14, 2026 at 7:27 AM
“Apple told TechCrunch that it sent out the notifications on Thursday to users targeted in 110 countries. Apple says to date it has notified customers in over 150 countries, giving some context to how far government-used #spyware has spread around the world.”
🇺🇸Donald Trump has signed a national security memorandum that lays the groundwork for private sector companies to take a larger role in helping law enforcement carry out offensive hacking operations against transnational criminal organizations.
✍️ @timstarks.bsky.social
cyberscoop.com/trump-memo-p...
✍️ @timstarks.bsky.social
cyberscoop.com/trump-memo-p...
Trump turns to private sector in offensive hacking operations memo
President Trump signed a national security memo authorizing vetted private companies to conduct offensive hacking against foreign criminal syndicates.
cyberscoop.com
August 14, 2026 at 6:37 AM
🇺🇸Donald Trump has signed a national security memorandum that lays the groundwork for private sector companies to take a larger role in helping law enforcement carry out offensive hacking operations against transnational criminal organizations.
✍️ @timstarks.bsky.social
cyberscoop.com/trump-memo-p...
✍️ @timstarks.bsky.social
cyberscoop.com/trump-memo-p...
The 🇩🇪German government has approved a draft law aimed at lifting many of the restraints on its spy agencies imposed during the postwar period as the country reels from two attacks in a month that have exposed serious security gaps.
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/a...
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/a...
Germany approves lifting curbs on spy agencies in security ‘revolution’
Reforms comply with wishlist of intelligence services which say Germany lags behind allies and enemies
www.theguardian.com
August 13, 2026 at 6:18 AM
The 🇩🇪German government has approved a draft law aimed at lifting many of the restraints on its spy agencies imposed during the postwar period as the country reels from two attacks in a month that have exposed serious security gaps.
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/a...
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/a...
Reposted by Vas Panagiotopoulos
New: Taiwan says it was targeted last month in AI-driven hacking campaign
www.reuters.com/world/china/...
www.reuters.com/world/china/...
Taiwan says it was targeted last month in AI-driven hacking campaign
Taiwan detected AI-assisted cyberattacks on government agencies last month coming from overseas but the affected bodies successfully "handled" the incident, the Ministry of Digital Affairs said on Th...
www.reuters.com
August 13, 2026 at 2:11 AM
New: Taiwan says it was targeted last month in AI-driven hacking campaign
www.reuters.com/world/china/...
www.reuters.com/world/china/...
Reposted by Vas Panagiotopoulos
NEW: I spoke to Google's @shanehunt.bsky.social about why hacking groups get codenames, and why that's an important step in not only tracking their attacks, but also understanding how to counter them.
In 2026, this is not an easy job. Google now tracks more than 5,000 "activity clusters."
In 2026, this is not an easy job. Google now tracks more than 5,000 "activity clusters."
Google's top hacker hunter explains why hacking groups get codenames | TechCrunch
Google recently changed how it refers and assigns names to hacking groups. TechCrunch spoke with one of the world’s foremost experts on tracking hackers to understand why companies give hackers codena...
techcrunch.com
August 10, 2026 at 2:51 PM
NEW: I spoke to Google's @shanehunt.bsky.social about why hacking groups get codenames, and why that's an important step in not only tracking their attacks, but also understanding how to counter them.
In 2026, this is not an easy job. Google now tracks more than 5,000 "activity clusters."
In 2026, this is not an easy job. Google now tracks more than 5,000 "activity clusters."
Reposted by Vas Panagiotopoulos
Spion im Smartphone: Wer überwacht Europas Bürger? Interessante Doku von @nzz.ch @magdajoechler.bsky.social mit Beitrag von mir m.youtube.com/watch?v=LuJ_...
Spion im Smartphone: Wer überwacht Europas Bürger? | Doku NZZ Format
YouTube video by NZZ Format
m.youtube.com
August 10, 2026 at 2:05 PM
Spion im Smartphone: Wer überwacht Europas Bürger? Interessante Doku von @nzz.ch @magdajoechler.bsky.social mit Beitrag von mir m.youtube.com/watch?v=LuJ_...
More than a decade after Francisco Partners acquired NSO for $100m, Israel’s Central District Court ruled the deal was structured through a shelf company as an “artificial transaction” designed to move funds up the corporate chain while illegitimately avoiding tax.
www.themarker.com/technation/2...
www.themarker.com/technation/2...
המחוזי: רכישת עבר של NSO בוצעה באמצעות "עסקה מלאכותית", כדי להתחמק ממס
לפני יותר מעשור רכשה קרן פרנסיסקו פרטנרס את NSO תמורת 100 מיליון דולר, אך עשתה זאת באמצעות שרשור חברות ■ בית המשפט המחוזי קבע כי הרכישה באמצעות "חברת מדף" ישראלית נעשתה כדי שיהיה ניתן להעלות את הכסף ב...
www.themarker.com
August 1, 2026 at 6:38 AM
More than a decade after Francisco Partners acquired NSO for $100m, Israel’s Central District Court ruled the deal was structured through a shelf company as an “artificial transaction” designed to move funds up the corporate chain while illegitimately avoiding tax.
www.themarker.com/technation/2...
www.themarker.com/technation/2...
🇧🇭Bahrain cannot claim state immunity to block a spyware lawsuit brought in 🇬🇧Britain by two dissidents, the United Kingdom's top court ruled by a majority on Monday, in a ruling one judge warned would put Britain in breach of international law.
www.reuters.com/world/bahrai...
www.reuters.com/world/bahrai...
Bahrain loses bid to block dissidents' spyware lawsuit in UK
Bahrain cannot claim state immunity to block a spyware lawsuit brought in Britain by two dissidents, the United Kingdom's top court ruled by a majority on Monday, in a ruling one judge warned would p...
www.reuters.com
July 28, 2026 at 10:59 AM
🇧🇭Bahrain cannot claim state immunity to block a spyware lawsuit brought in 🇬🇧Britain by two dissidents, the United Kingdom's top court ruled by a majority on Monday, in a ruling one judge warned would put Britain in breach of international law.
www.reuters.com/world/bahrai...
www.reuters.com/world/bahrai...
In a new letter to 🇺🇸ICE Acting Director David Venturella, Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) is demanding documents on the agency’s use of Paragon Solutions’ Graphite #spyware, including its legal basis, deployment, & safeguards for Americans’ privacy and civil liberties.
www.hsgac.senate.gov/media/dems/p...
www.hsgac.senate.gov/media/dems/p...
July 26, 2026 at 1:00 PM
In a new letter to 🇺🇸ICE Acting Director David Venturella, Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) is demanding documents on the agency’s use of Paragon Solutions’ Graphite #spyware, including its legal basis, deployment, & safeguards for Americans’ privacy and civil liberties.
www.hsgac.senate.gov/media/dems/p...
www.hsgac.senate.gov/media/dems/p...
A decade after their most famous hack, Phineas Fisher remains, by most accounts, the most prolific and public hacker never to have been caught, writes @lorenzofb.bsky.social.
techcrunch.com/2026/07/25/t...
techcrunch.com/2026/07/25/t...
The hacker who humiliated spyware makers and was never caught | TechCrunch
An awe-inspiring hacktivist who hacked two controversial government spyware makers may be the most prolific hacker to have never gotten caught. What do we know about Phineas Fisher?
techcrunch.com
July 26, 2026 at 4:36 AM
A decade after their most famous hack, Phineas Fisher remains, by most accounts, the most prolific and public hacker never to have been caught, writes @lorenzofb.bsky.social.
techcrunch.com/2026/07/25/t...
techcrunch.com/2026/07/25/t...