US investors have finalized a deal to acquire control of the embattled Israeli surveillance firm NSO Group, marking a significant shift from Israeli to American ownership amid ongoing controversies over the company’s spyware technology. The acquisition is led by a consortium of US investors, including Hollywood producer Robert Simonds, and subject to regulatory approvals[5].
NSO Group, known primarily for its Pegasus spyware, has face...
NSO Group, known primarily for its Pegasus spyware, has faced intense international scrutiny and legal challenges due to revelations that its technology was used by various governments to target journalists, human rights activists, and diplomats. This prompted the US government to blacklist NSO in 2021, banning American companies from exporting technology to it and severely restricting its operations[1][7].
The US acquisition deal represents a strategic attempt to re...
The US acquisition deal represents a strategic attempt to reshape NSO’s future by placing it under American control, potentially alleviating some of the export restrictions imposed by the US Entity List. Prior efforts by US defense contractor L3Harris to acquire NSO were blocked amid White House opposition over national security and human rights concerns[4]. The new ownership hopes to restructure NSO’s business and regain access to critical US technology and markets.
NSO has been struggling financially and operationally since...
NSO has been struggling financially and operationally since the Pegasus Project revelations in 2021, which exposed widespread misuse of its spyware. The company’s founders previously bought back control in 2019 with backing from European private equity but faced mounting debt and legal battles, including lawsuits from Meta and Apple[2][3][7]. The acquisition by US investors follows a period of corporate turmoil, leadership changes, and workforce downsizing at NSO[1].
The deal is being closely watched by human rights advocates...
The deal is being closely watched by human rights advocates and government officials, who warn that any transfer of NSO’s assets must be carefully regulated to prevent continued abuse of surveillance technology. The Biden administration had earlier expressed "deep concerns" about US entities acquiring NSO because of the potential national security risks and the company’s track record of facilitating human rights abuses[4].
In summary, the US investors’ takeover of NSO Group marks a...
In summary, the US investors’ takeover of NSO Group marks a critical juncture for the controversial spyware maker. While it may enable NSO to overcome current operational hurdles linked to US sanctions, it also raises complex questions about the future use, oversight, and ethical implications of its technology in global surveillance and security[5][9].
🔄 Updated: 10/10/2025, 4:01:00 PM
In the latest development, experts suggest that the acquisition of NSO Group by U.S. investors could significantly alter the company's strategic operations and might pressure it to improve transparency and compliance with U.S. regulations. Industry analysts note that despite the acquisition, removal from the U.S. Entity List is not guaranteed, as a senior White House official previously stated that such a transaction would "spur intensive review" [4][6]. The deal is reportedly led by Hollywood producer Robert Simonds, although specific financial details remain undisclosed [1][5].
🔄 Updated: 10/10/2025, 4:10:59 PM
**Breaking News Update**: In a surprising move, US investors have reportedly sealed a deal to take over the embattled NSO Group, a company infamous for its Pegasus spyware, which has been linked to human rights abuses worldwide. This acquisition could significantly impact the global cyber threat landscape, as NSO's technology may become more accessible, potentially leading to increased surveillance and privacy concerns. The international community is likely to scrutinize this deal closely, with many expressing concerns about the potential for widespread misuse of NSO's powerful spyware tools.
🔄 Updated: 10/10/2025, 4:21:04 PM
Breaking News: A group of US investors, led by Hollywood producer Robert Simonds, has agreed to acquire NSO Group, a deal valued at "several tens of millions" of dollars, although specific figures have not been disclosed. The global impact of this acquisition could be significant, as NSO's spyware technology, known as Pegasus, has been used to target individuals in over 45 countries, raising concerns about human rights and cybersecurity[1][9]. The international response is expected to be cautious, given NSO's troubled past and its blacklisting by the US government, which has raised concerns about security and counterintelligence risks[2][3].
🔄 Updated: 10/10/2025, 4:31:20 PM
Following the announcement that a group of U.S. investors led by Hollywood producer Robert Simonds agreed to acquire embattled NSO Group in a deal valued at “several tens of millions,” market reactions showed cautious optimism, though specific stock price movements remain unclear as NSO is privately held and not publicly traded[5]. The deal signals a potential reset for NSO amid its blacklisting by the U.S. government and extensive legal troubles, prompting speculation that the acquisition could facilitate easing of restrictions and revive the company’s financials[9]. However, absent public share data, concrete price impacts are not reported.
🔄 Updated: 10/10/2025, 4:41:19 PM
US investors led by Hollywood producer Robert Simonds have finalized a deal to acquire the embattled NSO Group, sparking significant public backlash. Consumer advocacy groups and human rights organizations denounced the takeover, warning the deal "rewards NSO's facilitation of human rights violations" and risks undermining U.S. national security interests, with Access Now’s Natalia Krapiva calling it "a blatant attack on human rights globally"[4][3]. Meanwhile, reports highlight that NSO's Pegasus spyware has targeted tens of thousands, including journalists and activists, fueling widespread concern about the further proliferation of surveillance technology under U.S. ownership[2][5].
🔄 Updated: 10/10/2025, 4:51:21 PM
**Breaking News Update**: The acquisition of NSO Group by a group of U.S. investors, led by Hollywood producer Robert Simonds, marks a significant shift in the competitive landscape of the global surveillance technology market. This deal, valued in the tens of millions of dollars, positions NSO Group for potential expansion into new markets, despite ongoing regulatory challenges, including its blacklisting by the U.S. government in 2021[1][5]. The acquisition does not change NSO's operational control, as the company remains under Israeli regulatory supervision, with its headquarters still in Israel[1].
🔄 Updated: 10/10/2025, 5:01:19 PM
In a significant development, a group of American investors, led by Hollywood producer Robert Simonds, has agreed to acquire NSO Group in a deal valued at "several tens of millions of dollars." This acquisition comes after NSO faced substantial financial challenges, including approximately $400 million in debt and a recent 15% reduction in its workforce. The technical implications of this deal remain unclear, but it may involve significant changes in NSO's operations and product offerings as the company seeks to navigate its blacklisted status and potential future regulatory hurdles.
🔄 Updated: 10/10/2025, 5:11:32 PM
US investors led by Hollywood producer Robert Simonds have sealed a deal to acquire the embattled NSO Group in a transaction valued at several tens of millions of dollars, marking a significant shift in the competitive landscape of the spyware industry[1][5][7]. This acquisition ends Israeli management control, although NSO’s headquarters and core operations remain in Israel under local regulatory oversight, maintaining operational continuity despite new U.S. ownership[1]. The move follows failed 2022 talks with U.S. defense contractor L3Harris, which were halted amid White House counterintelligence concerns, underscoring the sensitive geopolitical environment shaping NSO’s market position[4][6].
🔄 Updated: 10/10/2025, 5:21:28 PM
The embattled Israeli spyware maker NSO Group confirmed today, October 10, 2025, that a U.S. investment group—led by Hollywood producer Robert Simonds—has acquired controlling ownership in a deal valued at “several tens of millions of dollars,” according to an NSO spokesperson[1][5][7]. While NSO is not publicly traded and there are no direct stock price movements to report, market analysts note the acquisition marks a potential inflection point for the controversial firm, which has faced severe financial and reputational strain, including a U.S. blacklisting since late 2021 and recent legal setbacks such as a $168 million court judgment to Meta[3][9]. “This investment does not mea
🔄 Updated: 10/10/2025, 5:31:47 PM
**Breaking News Update**: US investors, led by Hollywood producer Robert Simonds, have finalized a deal to acquire NSO Group, the embattled Israeli spyware maker, in a transaction valued in the tens of millions of dollars. This acquisition comes as NSO faces significant debt and legal challenges, including a recent court ruling awarding Meta $168 million for damages related to NSO's spyware use[1][9]. Despite potential regulatory hurdles, NSO's headquarters and core operations will remain in Israel under Israeli regulatory oversight[1].
🔄 Updated: 10/10/2025, 5:41:52 PM
US investors, led by Hollywood producer Robert Simonds, have acquired controlling ownership of Israeli spyware firm NSO Group in a deal valued in the tens of millions of dollars, with the company confirming to TechCrunch on October 10, 2025 that “an American investment group has invested tens of millions of dollars in the company and has acquired controlling ownership”[1][5]. Despite the new US ownership, NSO spokesperson Oded Hershowitz clarified that the company’s headquarters and core operations remain in Israel, and it will “continue to be fully supervised and regulated by the relevant Israeli authorities, including the Ministry of Defense and the Israeli regulatory framework”[1]. There is no immediate evidence of any change to NSO’s status on
🔄 Updated: 10/10/2025, 5:51:35 PM
**US investors have finalized their acquisition of NSO Group, the Israeli spyware maker behind the controversial Pegasus software, with a group led by Hollywood producer Robert Simonds agreeing to purchase the company in a deal valued in the “tens of millions of dollars,” according to company confirmation to TechCrunch on Friday, October 10, 2025**[1][7]. NSO spokesperson Oded Hershowitz stated, “An American investment group has invested tens of millions of dollars in the company and has acquired controlling ownership,” but declined to specify the exact amount or identify the investors, emphasizing that the company’s headquarters and core operations will remain in Israel and under Israeli regulatory oversight[1]. The deal marks a significant shift in ownership for
🔄 Updated: 10/10/2025, 6:01:51 PM
U.S. investors led by Hollywood producer Robert Simonds have finalized a deal to acquire Israel’s embattled NSO Group, the company behind the controversial Pegasus spyware, in a transaction valued at “several tens of millions of dollars” and confirmed by NSO’s spokesperson Oded Hershowitz on Friday, October 10, 2025[1][5][9]. While NSO’s headquarters and core operations will remain under Israeli regulatory oversight, industry analysts express skepticism about whether the acquisition can rehabilitate NSO’s tarnished reputation or resolve its $500 million debt burden, as Moody’s had previously flagged the company’s risk of default[4]. Cybersecurity governance experts caution that despite the change in
🔄 Updated: 10/10/2025, 6:11:41 PM
Israeli spyware firm NSO Group—best known for its Pegasus surveillance software—has just confirmed that a group of U.S. investors led by Hollywood producer Robert Simonds has acquired controlling ownership in a deal valued at “tens of millions of dollars,” with the agreement officially announced October 10, 2025[1][3]. While the company is not publicly traded, sources in the Israeli tech sector report no immediate domestic market disruption, but cybersecurity industry analysts and civil liberties groups have sounded alarms, with one senior researcher at the University of Toronto’s Citizen Lab stating, “NSO is a company with a long history of going against American interests… In what world can such a person be trusted to properly oversee a company like NSO