World News | Catalan Separatists Sue Spain's Ex-spy Chief over Phone Hack
Get latest articles and stories on World at LatestLY. Two Catalan separatist politicians filed a lawsuit Thursday against the former head of Spain's intelligence agency and an Israeli technology company for allegedly trying to hack their cell phones.
Barcelona, Jul 30 (AP) Two Catalan separatist politicians filed a lawsuit Thursday against the former head of Spain's intelligence agency and an Israeli technology company for allegedly trying to hack their cell phones.
Roger Torrent, the speaker of Catalonia's regional parliament, and Ernest Maragall, a member of Barcelona's town council, filed the suit at a Barcelona courthouse against former spy chief Félix Sanz Roldán and the Israeli company NSO Group.
The newspapers El País and The Guardian reported earlier this month that Torrent had been targeted by spyware that, according to its maker NSO Group, is sold only to governments and national security services.
The Spanish and British newspapers cited a separate US lawsuit involving the spyware, saying it exploits an earlier vulnerability in WhatsApp and could potentially provide access to everything on a person's cell phone. The reports provided no evidence that Torrent's phone was hacked.
Also Read | Hajj 2020: With 'Muslim 3D', German Techie Provides 1st Ever 'Virtual Hajj Experience'.
Spain's intelligence service, known by its acronym CNI, declined to answer questions about the allegations.
Spain's government said it was not aware that the phones might have been hacked and said that such an action would require a judge's authorization.
Catalonia's separatist movement is supported by around half the 7.5 million residents of the northeast Spanish region. Several of its top leaders are serving prison sentencing for their roles in an illegal secession bid in 2017.(AP)
(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)