NSO Group Pegasus spyware

Pegasus is a highly sophisticated cyber-intelligence tool developed by the Israeli firm NSO Group. Originally released around 2011, it was designed to help government agencies and law enforcement combat terrorism and organized crime by remotely and covertly infiltrating mobile devices. The software gained global notoriety due to its 'zero-click' capabilities, which allow it to infect a target smartphone without the user interacting with any links or files.

Throughout its history, Pegasus has been at the center of significant international controversy following reports by organizations like Amnesty International and Citizen Lab, which documented its use in targeting journalists, activists, and political figures. This led to NSO Group being placed on the United States Entity List in 2021, effectively banning it from trading with U.S. firms. Manufacturing and development remain primarily based in Israel, where the technology is classified as a weapon, requiring strict export licenses from the Israeli Ministry of Defense.

Ownership of the brand has been fluid. After being founded by Omri Lavie, Shalev Hulio, and Niv Karmi, the company saw various private equity involvements, including Francisco Partners and Novalpina Capital. In a major shift in late 2025, a U.S. investment group led by American film producer Robert Simonds acquired a controlling interest in the company. Despite this American ownership, the company's core operations and its adherence to Israeli defense regulations remain central to its corporate structure into 2026.