EU Parliament Cybersecurity Concerns Amid Spyware Discovery
The European Parliament has heightened its cybersecurity vigilance after spyware was detected on the mobile phones of two members from its defense subcommittee. Given the sensitive nature of the subcommittee on security and defense (SEDE), all members have been urged to submit their devices for inspection to the parliament’s IT service. This precautionary measure was prompted by an internal email alert, and comes at a time when the Parliament is preparing for potential cyberattacks and foreign interference ahead of the upcoming EU elections in June.
Upon discovering traces of hacking during a routine check of a subcommittee member’s phone, the Parliament’s Deputy Spokesperson, Delphine Colard, confirmed the incident and emphasized the importance of monitoring the devices associated with the subcommittee due to the critical files they handle. This incident adds to a series of events where European Parliament members have been targeted by spyware, including the Pegasus and Candiru tools used against Catalan independence movement politicians and the Predator tool found on devices of Greek political figures.
In response to these cybersecurity threats, the European Parliament established a special inquiry committee in 2022 to investigate the misuse of hacking tools by at least four EU governments for political manipulation. This committee delved into scandals across Spain, Greece, Hungary, and Poland. To combat these threats, the Parliament’s IT service initiated a program in April of the previous year to scan members’ phones for spyware, conducting hundreds of operations since its inception.
The European Parliament’s proactive stance on cybersecurity and data protection is crucial, especially in the current geopolitical climate. The institution’s efforts to safeguard the privacy and integrity of its members’ communications are imperative for maintaining trust and security within the EU’s legislative body.
Source: Brussels spyware bombshell: Surveillance software found on officials’ phones – POLITICO
