Italian Company Developed Tools to Spy on Smartphones in Italy and Kazakhstan

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Researchers at Google’s Threat Analysis Group say that Milan-based RCS Lab, whose website claims European law enforcement agencies as clients, developed tools to spy on private messages and contacts of targeted Apple and Android smartphones in Italy and Kazakhstan.

Google said it had taken steps to protect users of its Android operating system and alerted them about the spyware. An Apple spokesperson said the company had revoked all known accounts and certificates associated with this hacking campaign.

The researchers found RCS Lab had previously collaborated with the controversial, defunct Italian spy firm Hacking Team, which had similarly created surveillance software for foreign governments to tap into phones and computers. RCS Labs said that its personnel are not exposed, nor do they participate in any activities conducted by …