<p><a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/biden-administration" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Biden administration</a> officials expressed shock as they revealed dozens of U.S. government employees are believed to have been targeted by commercial <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/spying" target="_blank" rel="noopener">spyware</a>.</p>
<p>Mobile phones belonging to at least 50 federal employees, some of whom held senior positions, were confirmed or were suspected to have been hit by hacking attacks in 10 foreign countries across multiple continents, government officials told reporters.</p>
<p>&#8220;We were astounded by the number,&#8221; said one senior official, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/03/27/spyware-diplomats-us-pegasus/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Washington Post</a> reported on Monday. The tally, which is higher than previously known publicly, could rise as efforts to examine the vulnerability continue.</p>
<p>In conjunction with the disclosure, President Joe Biden <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/03/27/fact-sheet-president-biden-signs-executive-order-to-prohibit-u-s-government-use-of-commercial-spyware-that-poses-risks-to-national-security/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">unveiled an executive order</a> that seeks to institute rules that restrict federal agencies&#8217; &#8220;operational use&#8221; of commercial spyware that the White House said poses risks to national security or has been misused by foreign actors to enable human rights abuses.</p>
<p>Governments from around the world, including the United States, have purchased from vendors commercial spyware that works to gain access to electronic devices and surreptitiously collect their data. That includes, for instance, the Drug Enforcement Administration using a spyware tool called Graphite created by Israeli firm Paragon, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/08/us/politics/spyware-nso-pegasus-paragon.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to The New York Times</a>.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/03/business/nso-group-spyware-blacklist.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">federal government blacklisted</a> another Israeli company, NSO Group, in 2021 over accusations of spyware abuse. The firm developed Pegasus, a mobile phone hacking tool <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/police-tracked-a-terror-suspectuntil-his-phone-went-dark-after-a-facebook-warning-11577996973?mod=article_inline" target="_blank" rel="noopener">alleged to have been used</a> to monitor journalists, activists, and politicians. Apple notified 11 U.S. Embassy employees in Uganda that their phones were hacked by Pegasus spyware, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/12/03/israel-nso-pegasus-hack-us-diplomats/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Washington Post reported</a> in December 2021.</p>
<p>An NSO Group executive <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/head-of-israeli-cyber-firm-nso-group-reaffirms-company-commitment-to-spyware-11674738269?mod=article_inline" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told The Wall Street Journal</a> in January that it cut ties with 10 customers for allegedly misusing its technology, <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/police-tracked-a-terror-suspectuntil-his-phone-went-dark-after-a-facebook-warning-11577996973?mod=article_inline" target="_blank" rel="noopener">which the company insisted</a> “is only licensed, as a lawful solution, to government intelligence and law-enforcement agencies for the sole purpose of preventing and investigating terror and serious crime.&#8221;</p>
<p>FBI Director Wray told Congress last year that the bureau purchased a license for Pegasus for evaluation <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/03/27/spyware-diplomats-us-pegasus/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">but insisted</a> &#8220;the FBI has not and did not use the NSO products operationally in any investigation.&#8221;</p>
<p>The White House released a fact sheet on Monday that said Biden&#8217;s new order identifies &#8220;concrete remedial steps that commercial spyware vendors can take to reduce identified risks, such as cancelling relevant licensing agreements or contracts that present such risks,&#8221; and directs &#8220;important new reporting and information-sharing requirements within the Executive Branch.&#8221;</p>
<p><b data-stringify-type="bold"><a class="c-link" href="https://onelink.to/dwapp" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="https://onelink.to/dwapp" data-sk="tooltip_parent" aria-describedby="sk-tooltip-1306">CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP</a></b></p>
<p>Matthew Duss, a <a href="https://carnegieendowment.org/experts/2260" target="_blank" rel="noopener">visiting scholar</a> in the American Statecraft program at the Carnegie Endowment and former foreign policy adviser to Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt), <a href="https://twitter.com/mattduss/status/1640401728964116480" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said he has been</a> &#8220;critical of the Biden administration for falling short on human rights commitments but clamping down on spyware and similar tools of repression is an area where they deserve great credit. This is really strong and welcome.&#8221;</p>
<p>The order precedes the second &#8220;Summit for Democracy,&#8221; which Biden is expected to co-host this week with leaders of other countries. The White House said Biden&#8217;s order will &#8220;serve as a foundation to deepen international cooperation to promote responsible use of surveillance technology, counter the proliferation and misuse of such technology, and spur industry reform.&#8221;</p>

<script async src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script><div data-widget-host="revcontent" data-pub-id="165152" data-widget-id="290588"></div><script src="https://delivery.revcontent.com/165152/290588/widget.js"></script>

Biden Team ‘Astounded’ By Number Of Feds Targeted By Spyware

DOJ To Start Giving Congress Epstein Docs By Week’s End, House Oversight Chair Says

Trump Weaponization Czar Puts January 6 Committee Associates On Notice

Critics Of Trump’s Ukraine-Russia Peace Effort Have Been ‘Wrong’ For Decades, GOP Senator Says

Rubio Reveals The ‘Only Way’ To Achieve Ukraine-Russia Peace Deal

GOP Proposal Gives Trump Authority To Extend D.C. Police Takeover

Bessent Targets ‘Eye-Popping’ Stock Gains Made By Members Of Congress

News

Executive

National Security

Spying

U.S.

White House

A video goes viral showing a baby being refused his mother by two gay "dads". This is just the tip of the iceberg, which is why we will have an important discussion today about surrogacy. 

Hour 1

The Matt Walsh Show

Ep. 1765 - This Video Is One Of The Worst Things I've Seen In A Long Time 

The Strait of Hormuz officially opens for business (kind of), the Pope makes “shocking” comments on immigration, and President Trump promises UFO disclosure at TPUSA. 


The Michael Knowles Show

Ep. 1956 -  Pope Leo's "SHOCKING" Immigration Comments EXPLAINED

A false miscreed has corrupted our leadership class.


The Andrew Klavan Show

Ep. 1275 - Dumb, Dumber and Progressive

President Trump announces a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a murder-suicide involving former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax shakes Virginia, and France and Britain hold a conference to secure the Strait of Hormuz – after the Iranian conflict ends. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.

- - -

Ep. 2738

- - -

Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3

- - -

Today's Sponsors:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text 'WIRE' to 83848 to learn more.

Pocket Hose - Text MORNING to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.

Morning Wire

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26 [Member Exclusive]

A ceasefire goes into effect between Israel and Lebanon, a tragic murder-suicide rocks Virginia, and Dairy Queen deploys AI in the drive-thru. Get the facts first with Evening Wire.
- - -
Ep. 2737
- - -
Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3 
- - -
Today’s Sponsor:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text “WIRE” to 83848 to learn more.


Evening Wire: Lebanon Ceasefire Begins & Murder-Suicide Rocks VA | 4.16.26

The Pendragon Cycle

Menu

— News —

Biden Team ‘Astounded’ By Number Of Feds Targeted By Spyware