Pegasus-maker NSO Group put on US trade blacklist: reports

Israel's NSO Group has been put on the US trade blacklist for selling spyware to foreign governments that used it to target government officials, journalists and activists, according to a Reuters report. NSO Group is infamous for having developed the Pegasus spyware, that was allegedly used to spy on Indian journalists, activists and other key public figures.

Also watch: Explained: What is Pegasus spyware, how it works, should you worry?

The US Commerce Department has also added Candiru, Positive Technologies of Russia and Computer Security Initiative Consultancy PTE LTD to the list, stating that the firms had trafficked in cyber tools used to gain unauthorized access to computer networks.

NSO Group and others will be restricted from receiving exports from US counterparts, and makes it harder for security researchers in the US to sell them information about computer vulnerabilities, among other things. Moreover, suppliers will need to apply for a license before selling to the blacklisted firms, which will likely be denied.

Also watch: How phones get hacked (and how you can stay safe)

It's worth noting that the NSO Group and Candiru have previously been accused of selling hacking tools to authoritarian regimes. NSO, however, claims that it only sells its products to law enforcement and intelligence agencies and takes necessary steps to curb abuse.

In response to the trade blacklist, an NSO spokesperson was reported as saying that the company was "dismayed" by the decision, and will advocate for its reversal.